Saying good-bye....to summer

Oh summer, we bid you ado. 

I am sad to see summer go.  The sky's show no sign of summer letting go but our schedule will.  I have mostly enjoyed the days of getting up and not having to hustle everyone downstairs to begin the book work of the day.  It has been nice to be mostly mom with teacher sprinkled here and there.  I have welcomed the lack of stress that honestly sometimes the school day brings.  But I welcome a schedule that gives us direction and purpose as we work together.

I have a bit of trepidation in my heart for the year ahead.  I wish I didn't, but I do.  I so want to welcome the year with open arms and heart for what will and can happen.  I also know I have struggled with a boy and an ever busy toddler.  Prayer.  This is what I need to be doing and believing.  I cannot and do not want my days to be without His presence.

I asked Him about our year.  I read about a family choosing a word for their school year.  I was willing to wait but I felt the words prompted on my heart.  Our Year.  I have so looked to other homeschool families, all online, for direction and guidance.  This is not a bad direction, it is rich with possibility and inspiration.  However, sometimes within my personality I can so look to others that I fail to look within and in my close circle for that guidance and direction.  I want to allow God to shape us and embrace what He has for the Gallagher clan as well as embrace what others offer.

So Our Year.  This is the year that Deveraux will reach new heights in her learning.  I want her to gain confidence in Math, to continue to realize her potential in Writing, and stretch herself with her Reading.  To have fun learning photography, lettering, and pursue her podcast.  I want Deveraux to show patience with her brother and love for him that only she as a big sister can offer,  Bobo G, I want him to realize he is a reader and to see the worlds that will open to him, I want him to work more independently and gain confidence in the work he can do, and I want his heart to expand towards his sisters and be slow to anger and quick to listen.  For Cambria to continue to be able to communicate with us, to be content in play so I can teach her brother and sister, and to see such a love in our family that she is a part of.

 

 

I want to be slow to impatience, be guided by promptings from God, be willing to abandon our schedule, and be disciplined to stick to it.  To show our children the beauty all around them.  The beauty of the written word and creation, the fascination of history and how things are formed.  I want to inspire them, move them, and allow them to see their potential in our family and in the world.  I want to show them the importance of staying "in it" in relationships even when it is hard.  I want to show them to be quick to ask forgiveness and to forgive.

This is Our Year.  We have the great privilege to do this life together as a family.  We are so blessed.  One day we mostly likely will not live under the same roof.  But today we do and I am so glad and so grateful.  So we walk boldly into the school year that is Our Year, together.