Jeremiah was a bullfrog...

This little face owns my heart.  This is our Jeremiah.  Our Curly.  Our Bullfrog.  Our JP.  He will be 8 this fall and is going on 14.  He is the sweetest soul I know and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank God for blessing my life with him.

He loves Star Wars.  He eats, sleeps, and breaths Xbox and Halo would be his favorite game.  He enjoys playing soccer, but he's still got major skills to develop.  ;)  He likes cheering his team on while taking a water break more than he does playing at this point.  He is theatrical.  He never hesitates to bust a move and does so with no inhibitions....seriously, no inhibitions.  He wishes he were a comedian, but so far he's only come up with one joke that is actually funny.  (What kind of music does Yoda like?....wait for it....Yodeling! bwahaha)  He is an avid consumer of candy.  He appreciates a good pack of Skittles over chocolate and that assures me his DNA is made up of very little mommy.

He smiles all the time.  Laughs at everything.  He never meets a stranger and walks right up to kids and introduces himself.  He always says he has made a new friend even if there is no doubt he'll never see them again.  He is outgoing and willing to help anyone in need.  One example of his hearts desire to give to others was immediately after the tornado outbreak in April 2011 here in Alabama, he wanted to organize a toy drive and donate all his toys and get other kids to do the same in order to send to the children that had lost everything.  I sat thinking of the adults who lost their homes, cars, jobs...and his first thought was the children.  It made my heart smile.

A few months ago he was sitting at the dinner table and told me that he'd decided what he wanted to do when he grows up.  I asked what that might be and his answer was a preacher, a missionary.  I must admit it surprised me at first because I was thinking the standard doctor, lawyer, famous actor.  After I stood there teary eyed for a moment, it was no longer a shock as it fits him perfectly.  I can see him doing just that.  I close my eyes and I dream of an adult version of my baby boy and I see him traveling and sharing his love for Jesus.  It's no doubt a special gift as it's not something that I did a great job of instilling in him.  I pray that what we've done as a family over the last few years and what we pray for our family for years to come will be what he needs to remain strong in his desires.  One choice being the new adventure of homeschool.  I hope it allows him time to study the Bible and incorporate biblical views into all subjects of study.  I hope it allows his innocence to hang around a bit longer so that he grows to appreciate it before it's gone.  

So, this is Jeremiah.  I feel like I could write a novel about him.  Not sure really why I wrote the above. I just wanted to boast a moment as I'm a very proud mommy.  I look forward to spending my days with him as he learns and grows.  He's an awesome kid and to God I give all the glory.  

Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Journey: Day 1

Well, here we are.  Right in the middle of an ending and a beginning.


As I prepare for this new venture in our lives, I reflect on where we've been and where we are heading.   I can't help but feel extremely blessed where both are concerned despite both places being vastly different.  If you had asked me 10 years ago if I thought I would be a stay at home mom, married to a man that I would adore, and be newly saved by Jesus and happily learning and growing in Christ...oh, and all this while gaining 4 beautiful children...I would have laughed.  Not because I could never imagine such, but because I never felt that those dreams would ever come true.  I had no idea of the changes, twists and turns that life would make in order for God's plan to come together.  I am so underserving.  I am so thankful.


Another new beginning:  As I wrap up the planning for the coming school year, I felt it would be a great time for me to journal our days as I know they will all soon be a blur.  It will be our first year to homeschool.  Jeremiah (age 7.75) will be starting his 2nd year of studies.  He attended public school for K and 1st grades.  I also have here with me my Savannah Grace (age 2.75) who will hopefully be a sponge to preschool activities.  As well as Olivia (age 1.5) who I keep daily while her mommy works.  She is absolutely eager to learn and will be fun to watch what she can soak in.  Jeremiah had a great time in public school and did a super job in behavior and academics.  I think public school is great, and have never had an issue with teachers or the way my child was guided.  I simply feel that I've been called to provide my children a different way of learning.  I hope that this new venture turns out to be everything I know it can be.  With God's many blessings, everything will be awesome.


How we're getting started:  Given that Jeremiah is a very techy little guy, he asked if he could do any of his work on the computer.  I looked into several options and have chosen to ease into things by keeping it slightly mainstream so that it's not greatly different from the style of learning he is accustomed to.  He will be obtaining credit for his core subjects via Time4Learning.  It's an online academic course that looks like it's going to be perfect for him.  He completed several of the demonstrations and loved it. 
(I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.)
  
I have also chosen to use A Reason for Handwriting and A Reason for Spelling.  Both are centered around scripture and inspirational content.  He also is very interested in history and despite the Social Studies course he'll be doing online, I wanted something that would offer a more broad understanding of world history.  I chose Big Book of History that chronicles from Creation through Obama (There's a big lesson!).  I look forward to digging into that as well, because I honestly can't answer half the questions JP comes up with.  Lastly, I saw a review of a Bible study online that I thought sounded great for him.  Bible Blast is a picture bible that is accompanied by a manual of discussion and questions for ages toddler - 5th grade.  It looks like a comic book, which in my opinion seems more geared toward boys, but it's supposed to great for all kids.  I look forward to this time together the most.


So, here we go!


I'm going to blog and you're going to like it.  LOL  Ok, maybe I'm not that cool, but I do hope that I can at least get some of our life out here so that along the way I can look back and smile...or cry...or sigh loudly.  :)


Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”