We have been less than consistent with our homeschool this year. I've been listening to Bev Bradley's Overcoming the Distractions of Motherhood, which has helped me to better understand God's plan for my life as a homeschool-mom. Obviously I am distracted by the greater needs in my life therefore only the bare minimum is getting done in every area of our life. When you are in a crisis situation you live in survival mode and that's where we are. However the kids still need to be educated, so I have prayed tirelessly for weeks on a solution. Some moms at co-op suggested I switch to online/computer based program until things even out. I slowly had to come to grips with the fact that what I want and what I can do are two different things right now. I like teaching my children, personally. However, I am personally not here, much of the time. And when I'm here, sometimes I'm so drained that I feel like I'm not here. My friend told my about time4learning a couple of days ago and I bought a membership for the kids. Well they're as happy as can be. It seems like a great resource and it will get the job done for now. I probably won't use it forever. In fact I'm so horrified at the amount of time I think they'll be spending on the computer, I'm making eye-doctor appointments for all of them today! Just kidding. Well-I am making eye appointments, but I'm not really worried about computer time, I do know how to set limits. I guess life is all about compromise and being flexible. Two things I'm not entirely good at. But today when I go to the doctor and I'm gone for hours on end, I'll feel better that the kids will be working and not doing who-knows-what when I'm not here. When mother is away-the children do play!! :-) I am profoundly grateful that God has given me the life and family he has given me. Even though we are going through trials right now, I'm not at all convinced this is the worst thing we'll ever go through as a family. I still think we are living in the Golden Days, we have a few hiccups now and again, but we are definetly in the Promised Land and I am so thankful and undeserving of His goodness. Only God knows how thankful I am to be a homekeeping wife and mother. I'm aware that circumstances could change in an instant and I never take that fact for granted, even when I'm tired and worn out, that at least I get to do this job and no one else. When my oldest was two I worked outside of the home for a year. He had bronchitus and needed the breathing machine once or twice a day. His daycare was literally right next door to my job. My boss gave me the hardest time about going to do his treatment. I ended up leaving on my lunch. I hated that a boss had the power to tell me what I could and could not do with my own child. I hated being on someone elses schedule: when I could serve my family and when I could not. A child's illness becomes loathsome when you have to face your boss and it shouldn't. Sick children need and deserve love, sympathy, tender looks and carresses. They should not be greeted with sighs, whines, and grumbling. They should never be made to feel like an inconvience or a burden. I think a child's sickness does a mighty work in pruning the heart of a mother. It has for me, I am truly humbled.