Parenting

Watch this video.

I just watched this video. I'm disturbed by its content as well as by the sentiment. I just don't know what people are thinking. Within our country there is this huge sense of entitlement. But to think that every minute of your life is going to be pure JOY and HAPPINESS. That I don't get. I know that the hardest times in my life make me a stronger person, a more compassionate person, sometimes a completely different (and better) person. If I had never struggled, then I wouldn't have ever experience complete joy. Our 2 adoptions, the hardest period of waiting, have made me a much better person. I've learned patience (10 times over). I've learned to pray. I've learned to lean on God. I've also learned who my real friends are. Homeschooling my kids is an experience that also challenges me. In starting, I've had many times where I've been stretched. I'm a much better parent now than I was 4 years ago. I feel like me and Anthony are so much closer too.
I don't understand how the people in this story came up with the information that parenting often times has little positive, often a negative, impact of a married persons life. WHAT!!!!!!!???? Patrick and I would not know what to do without our kids. We would not have as much joy and happiness and satisfaction. Most of the things we would do without our kids are things that God could care less about. I mean really. How helpful for the kingdom of God is it to travel (on cushy vacations) or to eat at extravagant restaurants? Would we serve others more if we didn't have kid? Probably not. Our kids are what drive me to serve. I want the world to be a better place for my kids. Also, by investing my time, money, and blood sweat and tears into my kids, I'm serving the world. I'm raising a bunch of servants, not for me bu for the kingdom of God. I'm raising kids that not only want mom and dad to be proud, but want for their true Father, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings to be proud of their works. I'm trying to raise the next generation of leaders. A generation of Followers of Christ.
Is there anything better I could be doing with my time? Nope. This is the most important job. My kids are my legacy and my pride. I can't think of anything better to do with my time. But then again there is 1 behavior that I model and promote in our house. I don't want my kids to look to themselves ever for what will best for them. I want my kids to first look up and ask God and then look around and see what needs done. What does their family need from them, what do their neighbors need from them, what does the world need from them? What use of their time will bring joy to God? I don't try to make every moment a teachable moment. I do what I want my kids to do. I model a life of living for Christ. Our house is not child centered. Our house is God centered.
Maybe that is how the world is going wrong. I think it is an injustice to raise your kids giving them everything. I think you should be showing them what other people need. No wonder mom's want more ME-time. They spend all their time in Bobby and Suzy time. If a parent is spending all their time glorifying their child then when do they have time to glorify God?
I'm praying for our country. I'm praying that people of my generation will begin to see the blessing of children. I'm praying for children to be raised to see farther than themselves. I'm praying for more people to spend their time wisely because you only get one life. When its gone all that left are memories and without kids, who will remember you? Have you lived your life so that God will notice? Its not a competition but I'd sure love for Jesus to be proud of my actions today, no matter how big or small.

Our "New" Year

So tomorrow starts a new school year for us. I've decide to just keep us moving forward and year-round school. Don't feel sorry for my kids though because it simply gives us a chance to move more slowly throughout the year. I also am wanting to cover the 3 years of history that we have left before Anthony starts high school. I have 106 weeks until I have a high schooler. That's pretty scary. We finished up our last year kind of strong.
I've spent the last 3 weeks planning. I've spent the last 2 weeks preparing to start schooling our little ones at home. I have 8 weeks to see what we can accomplish when we aren't distracted by doctors appointments and therapy sessions.
I'll give you a glimpse of what we are going to be doing.
Ananya and Prasun:
We are going to be learning 1 letter of the alphabet each week. (As a side note, anyone know why I've heard you shouldn't teach the letters in alphabetic order?)
We are going to start with the letter A this week.
I've gotten all of my material from Confessions of a Homeschooler She is so creative and put together a wonderful assortment of activities for each letter that I don't have to do anything. I'm all about using the creativity of others and not reinventing the wheel. I must say that this worked out well because my kids are so ready for the information but are so slow developing the fine and gross motor skills of most kindergarteners. Her things allow me to work on counting and other math skills as well as fine motor skills.
(My confession of the day is that sometimes I'm not creative at all and just need someone to tell me how to start.)
We are also going to be doing lots of walking, pulling up, transitioning from walkers to sitting, and sitting in regular straight-back chairs. All of this is our "therapy stuff" to help the kids function in normal world environment.
Anthony:
This poor child. He is going to get s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d this year. I want him to see what he can accomplish when he tries. Also we are going to work on developing some great character traits like selflessness, charity, hospitality, positive attitude, and reinforcing manners.
I'm starting our year with a BIG project. For the next 90 days, Anthony will be reading through the ENTIRE Bible with me. That right. I'm challenging the 12 year old to read the Bible in 90 days. (You can check out all the information here. She has links to a reading schedule. I just use my regular Bible and Anthony is doing the same.) I'm excited to see what Anthony gets from this challenge. I'm praying God will speak to his heart during this time.
We are also starting year 3 of our My Fathers World cycle. We will be studying Roman history up to Reformation. In mid February we will start Exploration to 1850 and that will take us to about October 2011 when we finish with modern history. I'm starting this month with just Bible, (light) science and history. We are building a paper model of the human body. We will be studying anatomy and then astronomy. We are adding a more mature science program soon so alot of this will be just an overview and some fun activities.
Well I'm going to run and relax for a bit before bed. I've got a little more Bible reading to do before tomorrow morning. I'm excited to get started. I've read the Bible in 90 days at the first of the year and it was a great experience. Let me know if you are joining the fun. I could set up a small group or something.
Happy 4th!!!