Decisions and Changes in our House

Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Over the last week, Jamie and I have been in the praying process for the future of our children. The Lord has entrusted us with these 4 little children and, through him, we want to do what is best for them. That isn't always easy. I think any good parent questions decisions that they have made. I think we all secretly walk around wondering if we are "ruining" their lives. I think we start worrying about our children the minute that we see 2 lines on the pregnancy test. It changes your outlook and life to have this ultimate responsibility.

Almost 2 years ago, God jerked the rug out from under us when he moved us away from our comforts of "home". It was a wild ride and that is how we ended up where we are. Of course, again, I wasn't worried about our adjustment, I was worried about my kids (especially my oldest 2 children who already were in school). You know what? They did great. Kids are usually more flexible than us old people, and I think we tend to forget that.

Since we moved here, there are some things that I have missed tremendously about Murray. At the top of my list is that I never get to go on a "free" date with my wonderful husband. We have only been on 1 official date since moving.

The other issue that I have had a constant struggle with for almost 2 years is the school. It is a great academic school, don't get me wrong. My kids are learning a lot and it is ranked in the top 10 schools in Kentucky. Academically, I don't think we'd get much better in a school system. But, it has been a growing frustration. My kids do not get recess, even in Kindergarten. It is not built into the school day. It is only "if they have time". Guess what? They never have time! It broke my heart that sometimes they would miss some beautiful spring days by being inside a school building.

Another issue was the amount of work they are putting on my children. I want my kids to learn. I want them to learn tons and excel in every way possible, don't get me wrong. But doing 2-4 hours of homework by 8 years old is too much. Especially since they never get any sort of break during the school day. Even adults want to turn their brains off for a bit to wind down. That has been hard to watch. Our evenings are spent policing homework. We have absolutely zero quality time Monday-Thursday when school is in session. I live for breaks, to be quite honest. During Christmas, we had the best times in the evenings just playing with our kids.

So, these issues have been plaguing my brain for a while. Everybody around here is always telling me what a "great" school we are in. I want to say, "great for what?" Test scores? Academics? Stressing my kids out? Stressing me out? Teaching to test? Looking good to everybody else? Yes, it is great at doing all those things, but I want my kids to be kids. This "wonderful" education has come at a very precious cost and a cost that we won't have a second chance at. We will turn around twice and they'll be headed off to college. How much time do we really have with our kids anyways?

So, last week, I hit a brick wall. I was literally in tears after a 4 hour homework session. Sweet little Micah never complains. One of his best traits (among many....what a sweet boy!) is his "go with the flow" personality. I told Jamie how frustrated I was. I was just so "done" with the situation and really mourning what we were missing out on. I also knew what 3rd grade would entail for Abbi next year. Abbi is a child that really needs a break. She is doing great in school, but she is so "over" it by the time she gets home in the evenings.

He mentioned homeschool and we talked about it casually for a few minutes (not even a serious conversation). Well, I dreamed homeschool that night. I got up the next day and emailed one of my best friends that homeschools (she also pulled hers from a very academic-oriented public school) and scoured webpages that she sent me to get a "feel" for the costs, logistics, questions, etc. I think I wasted the entire day Friday just researching homeschool.

I pondered all weekend and I had that sick pit in my stomach and couldn't get it out of my head. I had to wonder...was this a calling from God or was it just my frustration levels? I also had a million other uncertainty's and questions rolling around in my head. I'm sure Jamie would even say that I was in "la la land" this weekend.

Monday I finally just prayed about it and surrendered. Jamie was already telling me that he wanted to do this, but ultimately I'd be the one carrying it out, so he wanted me to have the final say. I just gave up the internal battle. I had tried to bargain with God, beg my way our of it, justify another decision, etc. None of it worked! God was calling us to change and we want to be in His will.

So, as of 2010-2011 school year, we will be a homeschooling family. My kids are very excited about it. Hannah said, "I think this is an excellent idea!" and you would have thought I had told Micah that he was going to Disney world. He was so happy to get to play again and very excited that we will be "A Christian school". There is a group here where my kids can still be involved with field trips and such with their peers. It is the best of both worlds!

It will be a lot of work. I'm sure there will be days, that I want to throw my hands up and give up. I'm sure I will wonder many times if I'm teaching them the "right" things. I'm positive that my confidence level will go up and down through all of this. But, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! He doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called!

It doesn't hurt that I have an educational background. I do have a "teacher brain" so to speak. I graduated from college 12 years ago. I was a new Christian at that time and I really didn't know what my future held (who does?). But, as I sit back, I realize that God was probably preparing me even then. He knew that this day was coming. He was preparing me for such a time as this!

So, just pray for us! It is very overwhelming, yet exciting! We are embarking on new territory for us. I will have a great support system here, but it is still the fear of the unknown that is scary!

Sorry for the novel!

Snow Fun and the Tooth Fairy is Visiting

Well, Hannah finally lost that first tooth! The child didn't even have a tooth in her head until she was 13 months old, so it isn't any wonder that she is just now loosing that tooth. My other kids were 5 and she is almost 7. She is very proud though and she will get a sticker tomorrow at school.

Saturday we had some snow fun. It was a good snow. The temperatures weren't totally unbearable and even though it was a bit powdery for a snowman, the kids sure did have fun. Chloe could barely walk in some areas where it had drifted so deep.

Jamie did shovel the driveway and made them a little fort. Well, if you can call it that. The girls were using it to play house instead.



Here is Micah being buried in the snow. A little bit chillier than being buried in the sand.
And, I think we've watched "A Christmas Story" one too many times. You know the kid that sticks his tongue to the metal pole? No, he didn't really do it.


Not much else happening on the home front. Jamie and I are praying and thinking about some things on the horizon. God knows what they are and I suppose that others will know soon enough. No, it is not another baby!

Micah's Big Solo

Last night was the big choir concert that we have all been waiting for. It was wonderful as always. We have a great choir!

One of the songs featured a "choir boy" solo and the director asked Micah if he would do it. She did make him try out and she made sure that he "fit" with the choir, but it all worked out and he's been going to choir practice twice a week for the past weeks.

His song was first. He read an introductory scripture, then the choir marched in during the song intro (it is long), and his solo was about halfway through the song. It was the first time they have worn their new beautiful choir robes too.

I'm partial, but Micah did a wonderful job. I had a lump in my throat before it even started. I always get nervous when the kids do stuff and of course I feel so proud that they shine through and do so well. He stood right on up there and did just like he was suppose to do. He is a very talented boy! He never really gets nervous or shy up there either. Future preacher? Minister of Music? Hmmmmm.....

I took pictures, but the church videos it. Hopefully the videos and audios will come out soon. So, until then, I'll leave you with these images:

Micah reading the scripture before the choir came in:

Right after they had marched in:

Singing his big solo!

Singing with the choir:

Contentment

Philippians 4:10-14 (New International Version)

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

¹⁴Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Sometimes it is hard as humans to find that contentment that only comes through God. Sometimes we are up on the mountaintop and sometimes down in the valley, yet we are to be content through it all knowing that God is in control and has a plan. Not just any plan, but a specific plan for us as individuals. It is easy for us as humans to wonder what God's plan may be ahead of us. We get discouraged by worldly things happening around us and people do a lot of disappointing. Growing pains often hurt, but God is our father and has only our best interests at heart.

Much of the Christian (ministry) life is just learning to "go with the flow". There is so much that is out or our control, but God is never surprised and always in control. We may not understand what is happening, but he does. He had it planned out before we were even born.

Sometimes God tests our obedience to him even if the end result is different than what we previously had thought. The obedience, in and of itself, brings glory to God! He wants us to be content with the plans that HE has made for us and the timing he has set. In the end, nothing else matters.

Playzeum

Yesterday, we were all home. The kids were out for MLK day and Jamie is off on Mondays anyways. We decided to go to the Playzeum for a couple of hours. I had also promised Abbi that she could invite her "BFF" over to play, so we picked her up and took her to the Playzeum with us. It was a fun afternoon, although the Playzeum was busy. I was surprised it was even open, but apparently many parents had the same idea that we had on the day off. It is good for the kids to blow off some steam and they slept good last night!








Here is Abbi and Elysia. Elysia just turned 8, so she is actually younger than Abbi, but she is as tall (if not taller) than Micah. She is tall for her age and we are all short, so it makes them look like they are about 4 years apart in age! She is a very sweet girl though and very well behaved. You hardly even know she is around. It comes in handy that she lives about a block away too!

Upward Cheer and Glamour Party

This morning, Hannah had her first Upward Cheer game. It was really cute. A bit cramped and clausterphobic in the hallway waiting to get to the gym, Jamie and I didn't get to sit together (very few chairs considering the number of people), but it was very cute and she enjoyed it. That's all that matters.


This afternoon, Abbi had a birthday party for her "BFF". It was a glamour party. They got their hair and nails done and played dress up and walked down a red carpet. I'm sure it was very cute. They took a photo of her on the red carpet. I do not have a scanner, so I took a picture of a picture (excuse the glare).

Here is the picture of the "do"
Jamie has finally woken from the dead, so I guess it will be a low-key evening. We are having movie night in the Hughes house later.

Jamie is on the News

Link to Video


Well, in the background, but hey, it is something. Right?

The man on the phone goes to our church. He and His wife are full time missionaries in Haiti and I know their hearts are breaking. His wife is still here in Owensboro due to a recent surgery she just had.

Our church is a donation site as a result of this wonderful couple's service over there. Jamie has helped pack up donations this week. The outpouring has just been so overwhelming!