Joyfully Overloaded

We just finished our end of the year standardized testing, on a Saturday.  It was a perfect ending to a difficult year.  The boys tested while taking antibiotics for yet again-Strep.  It truly followed the pattern of our year, let me show you... Our little wild card, er I mean "helper" - This year my kids were sick, including a hospital stay for one, and multiple rounds of antibiotics for all. - This year we started school three weeks late. - This year instead of organizing life around our school days, school was organized around life. - This year we went on vacation three weeks after school started. - This year I learned to teach with a toddler by my side, or mostly I learned that teaching works best while said toddler sleeps. - This year my biggest boy switched curriculum half way through the school year. - This year I felt like all we did was play catch up from the day before. This year I felt disorganized. This year many of our school days happ...

I have friends whom I love deeply that fall on both sides of the abortion debate. On the Left I have seen many posts that say things such as, "If abortion were legal then it would help clear up the foster system. Or if babies created in rape could be aborted it would be better. And more." My heart can not take these words any more. Even with all of the health problems and life long issues my son will have I thank God  every day his bio mother brought him into the world. Even though I disagree with her actions I have a deep respect for her just for following through for nine months carrying my baby boy. And the babies of rape, I know an amazing Girl who was created through rape. She offers so much to the world. I just cannot imagine what these people feel when they login to social media and see people saying how they should have been aborted. Foster kids have deep struggles, life long struggles with feeling wanted. What are you doing telling them they are not wanted? Because ...

Some days my boy who enjoys anything book or school based sets his face, looks me square in the eye and says, "I don't care if these tests are required I want to burn them." Some days I ask my biggest boy to change out of his shorts into pants for scouts, and you'd think that he'd been asked to cut his own arm off.  After he spews words of frustration and anger he walks away mumbling his first, "Whatever." Some days when it's time to go grocery shopping, but my one year old wants to play in the pouring rain so he follows me around the house screaming at me while I pack his diaper bag. Some days I find myself breathing deep, and wondering what has happened to my usually well behaved children.  When these days happen I know it's time to slow.  We snuggle a little bit more.  We have dance parties in the kitchen.  My phone is set aside.  We put aside our tasks, as they can wait for another day, and we begin to fix our hearts.  I give them sp...

Man of the Woods, You are huge!  Last year we bought you a bike for your birthday.  You could barely touch your toes to the ground.  We told you we would buy it a bit big so it would last you a few years.  You loved it.  This year the seat is adjust in the highest position, your feet are solidly on the ground, when I watch you peddle I wonder if we might have to yard sale for a bike this summer.  That's not the only signs at how you've grown.  Our clothes are constantly getting mixed together, we share shirts, and you commandeered my spare pair of sneakers a few weeks ago, because your old ones no longer fit. But it's not just physical growth I've watched happen over this last year.  You've started thinking more like a man and less like a child.  A while back, the day started off great, you not only wanted to make muffins for breakfast, but you invited our Happy one to help you.  You have no idea what that means to a little b...