Decisions...

Well, it has been quite a week here and I have some updating to do. I have been plagued with a cold for the past week and it turned into a nasty sinus infection but am finally feeling better!

Last Thursday, Caitlin and I traveled to Winston-Salem for the weekend. I attended the NC Homeschooler's Conference (yes, we are going to homeschool next year--more later on that) and Caitlin attended Piedmont Baptist College's Music Festival. She took a 3 day crash course in French horn. She did extremely well and her teacher feels like she will be able to learn the horn over the summer in time to play for marching band in August. She made great progress in 3 days and we are very excited for her! She even had a solo part in the concert at the conclusion of music festival.

As I mentioned, I attended the homeschooler's conference. Overwhelmed doesn't begin to describe it. So many people, so many workshops to attend and so many vendors. My cold was at its peak so I felt miserable during it all. I found some excellent math and language curriculum and got some great ideas for science and history.

So why are we homeschooling? Good question...I don't know if I have enough time for all the answers...

First, I have felt a strong call from the Lord that he had a ministry for me out there. Over the year of praying, it was like a light bulb came on about 6 weeks ago. During a drive home from work, I was talking to Him and I said, "Lord, are you telling me that homeschool is my ministry?" and just like that the lightbulb came on and I said "Homeschool IS my ministry." And then I said, "You know I've always wanted to send my children to a Christian school" and He said, "You are"!! Clear as day! Ever since, I've had total peace and confidence about the situation and I know this is HIS WILL and calling for our family.

There are many other reasons, too. Ashley and Jaclyn continue to struggle in math but keep getting pushed to the next thing without mastering anything. They are both several grade levels behind. For example, this year Ashley learned multiplication and then they went to GEOMETRY! GEOMETRY?!? In third grade? By the time they started reviewing for EOG's she was in tears because she'd forgotten all of her times tables. She is still counting on her fingers. Jaclyn struggles in math and has been classified "learning disabled". I think this is due to her inability to write. It is hard to figure out the math when you can't write it out on paper and are trying to do it on computer or telling someone what to write.

After reading about the history of public schools and why they were started (to provide a minimal education for all students) and the attempt to "dumb us down", I am convinced that we can do a better job educating them. I spent alot of time in their class rooms last year observing and volunteering...the teachers spend so much time trying to control the class that very little instruction time is spent actually teaching. There were kids in 3rd grade who couldn't read on the kindergarten level. Kids were being bullied in second grade. It is heartbreaking.

So, that's just a few things in a nutshell.

We are excited about getting started. The girls can't wait! They want to start the day after they get out of school! So wish us luck on our new adventure and say a prayer for us when you think about us!!

Have a good night!

Happy Birthday, Jaclyn!

Yesterday was Jaclyn's birthday. I can't believe she is 12 years old! Her birthday is always a day of mixed emotions for me. I can't help but reflect back on the day she was born. When she finally arrived she was lifeless and blue. She did not have a heartbeat and wasn't breathing. Through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus, she was given a second chance. After working to resuscitate her for 15 minutes, her heart finally began to beat. She is truly a miracle.

At six-months of age, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy which was a result of the lack of oxygen after her birth. There have been many days I questioned "why"? Why her? Why did other babies who endured similar birth situations turn out "okay" with no life time repercusions?? Why did God choose my baby to endure a lifetime of difficulties and challenges? God always gently reminds me that that when we ask "why" that that implies that He made a mistake, and we know He doesn't make mistakes. Despite how hard it is, we should use this life lesson to bring Him honor and glory.

Over time, I prayed for a miracle and for God to heal her and make her whole. His reply was, "Her spirit is whole; her body is temporary." It is evident that He created her to impact other people for Him. She has such a true genuine love for others and her heart's desire is for them to trust God and give Him their hearts. Her testimony of faith is astounding. She has witnessed to family members and strangers, teachers and students at school. She puts us to shame with her ability and openess to witness for Him. I know He has big plans for her--much bigger than we could possibly dream for her. He has already used her in a powerful way and I can't wait to see how He continues to work in her life.

Her heart's desire is to go to heaven and receive her new body. She can't wait to walk normal and run with other kids. She can't wait to get to heaven and play soccer. She can't wait to hug her granddaddy's neck and play baseball with him. She misses him so much and mentions that often. He was her best friend. She tells me, "I can't wait to get to heaven and sit on granddaddy's lap again." One time, when she was 3, I asked her "why do you love granddaddy?" She replied, "Because he reads to me, he likes to hear me sing, he call me 'Queen Bee', and we don't walk very well." Oh, the love of a child.

Jaclyn has truly changed our lives and our hearts. We will never be the same because of her. While we have our challenges, our blessings far outweigh those.

Happy Birthday, Jaclyn! We love you!!
Mom, Dad, Caitlin and Ashley

Where DID the Weekend Go?

Well, another weekend has come and gone. It is Sunday night and I am wondering "where did the weekend go?" just like I said I would. It was a great weekend!

Friday night we celebrated Jaclyn's birthday with some of her friends. We went to see the Spiritual Twist Production (www.spiritualtwist.com) of "Snow White". It was wonderful! We had seats on the first row and had the best time! The entire theme was how we are washed snow white when Jesus washes our sins away. Snow White found a home with 7 orphans who were named after the fruits of the spirit--only they weren't acting so fruity. Snow White shared how the Bible teaches us to live and how Jesus can change our lives and our actions...and they become as they were named--lovely, patient, kind, self-controlled, joyful, peaceful, and gentle.

It was a very good play and the girls thanked us over and over for taking them. We finished the night with some delicious homemade ice cream from Sunny Sky's. Jaclyn was a very happy girl being with her friends. She smiled all night!

Caitlin traveled to Williamsburg, VA, for a band competition and their band won first place! We are so proud of her!! She has a sinus infection and has been feeling miserable but she persevered and made it through. She got home about 3:30 this morning, slept until it was time to get up and go to her piano recital. She hadn't been able to practice in about 3 days, and before she played Ashley, Jaclyn and I said a prayer for her. She played beautifully! She has a beautiful touch and despite only taking lessons for 3 years, she plays at an advanced intermediate level. She feels like she will pursue a career in music and we say "go for it"! She loves it and is passionate about it and that's the key ingredients to have a fulfilling career!

Saturday morning, Jaclyn, Ashley and I got up and went strawberry picking! We picked four buckets in about 30 minutes! We ended up freezing about 16 pints of berries and had a bowl left over. I made homemade waffles tonight and we had fresh strawberries on top. YUM! YUM!! They were delicious!!

Jaclyn went to her friends house Saturday afternoon to spend the night. Let's just say it was an "almost sleepover". She called me at 10:30pm to come and get her because she was homesick! I am glad she loves me and missed home! She is a sentimental homebody--she loves to be at home! We were almost back home when we realized she had left her beloved "Yesterbear" at her friend's house, but she managed to sleep without him!

Ashley and I had fun hanging out. We didn't go shopping. We ate dinner at home, played a card game and then went to bed. She crawled in bed with me since Dale was working and we ended up having a pillow fight. She loved it and told everybody today that we had a pillowfight. It was a fun memory!

This morning we went to church. We are so thankful for our church and the sound biblical teaching we hear every week! Pastor Davey is preaching on Job and the entire series has been terrific! You can hear him at www.oneplace.com. He is an awesome preacher! After church, we went to lunch with our best friends to our favorite place to eat--Fiesta Mexicana. They put a sombrero on Jaclyn and sang something to her in Spanish. She was not too happy with that, but she got over it!

Caitlin had a meeting about our NY missions trip and also a meeting about working at our church's art camp this summer so she had a busy day. Thankfully, she is feeling a little bit better but at 8:30, she is already in bed.

Tomorrow is Jaclyn's birthday and while that day is a day of celebration, it's a time of reflection for us to and how we almost lost her but how blessed we are to have her...more on that tomorrow!

I'm exhausted just reading this...going to bed. Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful, busy, hectic, fun weekend!

It's Friday!

We have a busy weekend ahead. Monday is Jaclyn's birthday but we are celebrating tonight with several of her friends. We are going to eat pizza, go see a play and then get some late night ice cream! She is so looking forward to it!

Caitlin leaves at 5am to go to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for a band competition. She will be getting home Sunday morning around 3am! Dale is working this weekend, so she is spending the night with a friend tonight so I won't have to get up and take her or pick her up. She loves band! She eats, sleeps and breathes band. I think its safe to say she'll major in music one day and is looking at going to school at Appalachian State or UNC-Greensboro. She has played percussion this year and done very well. Her band teacher says that she easily picks up anything he has given her to play. She has willed herself to learn French horn this summer and will be taking lessons twice a week. I have no doubt she'll be able to do it. She can do anything she sets her mind to! Sunday is her piano recital. She is a busy girl.

Jaclyn has her first official sleepover at a friend's house tomorrow night. This will be her first sleepover at someone other than a relative's house. She is very excited! Ashley and I will be by ourselves and have fun doing our favorite thing together--shop! She loves to shop and she wears me out!

Sunday will be church and piano recital. Caitlin has two meetings--one for her NY missions trip and the other for working at Arts Camp this summer.

Sunday night I'll be wondering where our weekend went. Have a good one!!

Never a Dull Moment

There is never a dull moment around our house and quiet moments are rare unless, of course, it's the middle of the night. Our schedules keep us busy and with five of us, some days I just want to yell, "Stop and let me off"! I treasure the moments that we are together as a family with no place to go and where we can just be together. With our oldest leaving home in two short years, it makes me ask where did the time go?

Time flies and the children are growing up so fast. It seems like only yesterday they were babies. I treasure every moment with them. Unlike a lot of parents who can't wait to send their kids off to school to have time to themselves, I miss my girls and can't wait for them to come home. I love being a mom--their mom. I thank God every day for the privilege and awesome responsibility of being a parent. To teach them to love Him and obey Him is the most important part of being a parent. I pray that we not only teach them to love Him but that they will see our example of us loving Him, too. We will be held accountable for all of our decisions one day.

So, this leads me to the name of our blog. Our "Lifesong". "Lifesong" is one of our favorite songs by Casting Crowns. We want our Lifesong to sing to Him every day. Our family lifesong is to follow and obey Him in all that we do; that our lifesong will sing to Him.

May your Life sing for Him,
Glynis