Peach Pickin' Paradise

The name doesn't lie. This was the first time in 18 years of living here that I've been to this local peach farm. Shameful, but true. I made it even more fun (I use that term completely sarcastically) by waking up all the teenagers at 9am. That's about an hour and a half earlier than they've been getting up this summer. Erin moans at Sheridan..."this is just what a homeschool field trip looks like." I laughed. Really? Then it's going to be great! We had a wonderful time. Richard was in Knoxville, TN, but we brought him home treats so he wasn't too upset to miss the trip!

Onward and UPWARD

LOVED our UPWARD game yesterday and NOT because we won. BUT, because everyone on our team scored, our kids are getting more confident and developing skills...and they were SO ENCOURAGING to one another. I'm so thankful for the venue to develop these kids in their skills and their character. It makes sports even more fun and these families are getting the blessing, right along with us!

The Garden

No chemicals, no weeding...just God and those plants. Thankful for the bits of rain we've had to help our garden grow. Apparently, we forgot to get some things out the last two days...we had to make two trips today! Now...to share!

News of the Day

Since Sheridan has begun telling her friends, it's time to say it outloud, "We're homeschooling this year." Yep, after 5 years of quite a bit of independence for me, and building a pretty big business, I am taking over the responsibility of her education for this year. Can you say "crazytown?"

Fifth grade in Cville is probably my favorite grade in the public system, and for sure my favorite school. I subbed in that hallway and like a lot of those ladies and their methods. And before I went to get the papers from the administration office, I talked to the principal, my friend. We live in a small town, I'm not dissing it. 

But for me and my house...we have got to make sure that Sheridan doesn't give up on learning. She  needs to be inspired, challenged and she needs to have highlights! I know not every day at public school is fun. I wouldn't ever expect that. It certainly won't be here! But at home I can let her learn at her own pace, challenge her with projects and reports, improve her critical thinking skills, work on specific character challenges, teach the Bible, and spend quality time with my girl.

Other points...
IF the adoption goes through (and right now our home study is being held hostage by a social worker) then we could have two boys who need a lot of my attention before and after school. Homeschooling Sheridan will be a great balance for me to make sure I can nurture her and make the transition to sharing her time with us.
IF we decide to only homeschool one year, she will not be behind. I can teach 5th grade, and she can learn it here as well as there.
IF she wants to take guitar lessons, we'll have time.
IF she plays in a Russellville soccer league, we will have time and energy to go.
IF we want to go see Ryan or Lauren at college, we can.
She will NOT be isolated, and her social skills will probably improve.

How will it look during my event? I don't know.

Motherhood

I'll be honest, the older I get, the more time alone I crave. I'm sometimes so tired of being the one who has to do the correcting, teaching and training and the older my kids get, they're tired of it too...even though they still need it. There are days when I think I could be doing something else or be someone else...and it takes a little bit to remember that this is what God called me for. I didn't choose it. He did. I certainly don't want to look back and wish I had not been selfish or demanding with "my" time. If this is the one job...along with being a wife...He gave me...I need to do it WELL and to His glory.

Almost home

I've just heard from Richard and they are in Managua, (at a Best Western with A/C) and they will board a plane early tomorrow morning for the states. I'm ready for us all to be at home. I'm ready to let someone else try to keep the grass alive! I want to hear Erin's take on her first plane ride, and her week away. Tomorrow night: all 6 of us will be on the lane.

Sad Update

I wish I had anything positive to say about our adoption right now. I am beyond frustrated at a system that is so lacking in efficiency that one report can't be completed in 2 months time. It's the last part of our process (we think)...and we started before school was out in May. (Yes, she is a volunteer, yes, she told us she would be thorough, and yes, she reminded us she would be doing it in her spare time)We've answered every question, every text, every email with more and more trivial information about our family and gotten nowhere. There are so many times when I've said, "I'm done." and yet it won't solve ANYTHING. No children will be placed without us finishing the process. It's been 2 years since we started the "short process" through the Call. And it's not any one person's fault, but a whole bunch of people who appear to not be interested in the children at all. I sound completely rude and cynical and today I am. We know at least 2 other families who have needed approval quickly and gotten it. Why would my family need a year and a half more to process? We're an open book, we've not hesitated with bank statements, lists of our weaknesses, our pet care schedule, and any other history that they've asked for.

Today, I want to just forget it. I know a couple ladies have really been pushing for us, but unfortunately it hasn't been enough. If we had a dark past, a criminal record, a sub-par home, I could understand. But we don't and it's hard to understand that 2 little boys wouldn't benefit in some way from living here and everyday they aren't here, they're in the state's care.  People ask us every week where we are in the process and it's getting harder to stay positive. I just joke now about the crazy questions we have been asked: "How often do you wash your dog?" (our outside dog), "Please send me a list of hair and eye colors for everyone in the home." and "Can you send me another bank statement, the one you gave me is 2 months old."

This is my rant and now I'm done.