The Pay Off

You know...say it, mean it, do it, really works. I'm talking about staying the course, staying strong when it gets tough. My last post (ages ago) was about issues of getting school done, but it seems to have passed now. School is getting done stronger and stronger with less of a fuss. Finally. I think the pay off comes when consistency rules the day. And the best part is, no best friends have to suffer in the process. JP is blessed with a strong and loving friend who guides him and keeps him honest. JP's mom is blessed by that. It's neat to watch 2 boys grow up together. Sometimes age isn't an issue and there are times when I see a peak of the man best friend is becoming. He's going to be a great man one day. And that calls JP up. I love that too. So what have I learned in this school year? That mom needs to be consistent and follow through. That best friends wait for you. That school waits for the flu. That I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Including homeschool. Amen.

Gettin it done...

Ladies...it's a global epidemic today. My son had me pulling my grays out yesterday about getting school done on time with a happy attitude. So here's what I did. I told him that he had to be AT the school table by 9 to get started no excuses and I would guarentee he would be finished his morning by 11:30 IF he had a good attitude. Well, he was up and on time to the table and got the whole morning done plus an extra subject by, you guessed it 11:30. Only 1 afternoon subject to go which should have taken 20 mins, just wrapped up and it took you guessed it...60 mins due to bad attitude. I'm figuring out really fast with this guy that there has to be a consquence with some pain attached. I don't mean physical pain, I mean like not going to see his best friend for a week kind of pain. But then guilt kicks in and I feel bad for his best friend. Ahh. When he figures out I'm serious, wow, the attitude snaps into place and school gets done. Why he has to push so far and so hard in the first place is completely beyond me. Maybe it's because he's 10. I don't know... :)

"Wii Scream" is MY kid!

Well December was just a blurr of activity, visiting, entertaining and enjoying so much fellowship we are so blessed. We really enjoyed our Christmas time. But something completely unexpected has happened. My oldest son, posted a video to Youtube and it is now a pretty big deal. It's our personal Christmas moment that has now become a public moment. We've see it on ABC, BBC and some Boston Media and our Local CHCH is playing it today at 6. Our local newspaper has called for an interview on Monday and now Inside Edition! Really. And it's quite cute, but completely surreal. Here's the clip...I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Advent

So my Christmas shopping is 95% done and now I can enjoy Advent and finish school well. There's something in that finishing well thing. Finish strong, finish well. It's a feeling a relish as we creep up to the end of another year. And I see that as I get older, order means more to me than it did a while ago. I used to be very fly by the seat of my pants. Now, not so much. I like calm and order. Not perfection, just calm. And with 2 boys and a music loving daughter, calm is relative. So I'm finding it where I can, like planning dinners ahead on the busy days, having the christmas shopping done sooner than later. Now if I could only apply this to laundry...ahhhh, laundry. Well that's just another story :D

Heavens Rehersal 3

This is how far away we were...see those little girls on the left in red shirts..those are our girls from New Song Dance Academy. They danced for ever in the finale with 2 full numbers as well. It was such a highlight!

Heavens Rehersal 2

Getting on the bus, heading for The Rogers Center, Heaven's Rehersal..here we come!

Heavens Rehersal

So it was wonderful, beautiful and glorious! Here's a photo review! This is the group waiting for the bus to arrive! Our fearless choreographer in glasses early Saturday morning and her fabulous assistant Mrs. Leah!