My Journey As a Christian Homeschooling Military Wife/Mom: 4 Weeks In. We're Still Standing.

September 29, 2013

10:51pm

Way to go! You've completed a whole month! How have you changed? What have you learned?

Well, now! You'da thought we completed the entire first year! I kind of feel like I did. I can't believe we completed a month! There were so many high points, and almost as many lows. But, I'm learning so much about myself and my son. One of the greatest lessons I'm learning is patience. One of Jay's scriptures from his Penmanship lesson a few weeks ago was Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." What wonderful news that is! I tell you, dear reader, it is so easy to pray to the Lord to ask Him for all of those wonderful things, but once you realize that He's already given it to you through the Holy Spirit, it makes you want to slap your forehead because of all the times you know you should've utilized those gifts. God literally gives us control of so much. It's really just up to us to ask Him how to use these gifts. Throughout this month, I've been asking Him every single day to help me. He's been with me every step of the way!

I've been dealing with some challenges; some new, and some I pretty much figured would come. Jay has an attitude! MY Jay! I never knew he had it in him. Needless to say, I was prepared for the first backlash. The boy has mouth...like his mama. Yeah, yeah, I know. But, there's a definitive line that Stephan and I had to draw, because Jay has crossed the respect boundaries a few times, and he paid dearly for it by getting (in the words of my California brother-in-law) molly-whopped. What's funny is that he only starts acting up when my mom is around. She's been here for a couple of weeks. We've had a blast with her and my mom-in-law. Good times. But, because of all the time Jay spent with her when we used to live with her, he looks at her like another mother, and not so much a grandmother. I don't mind it, really. I just am working hard to help Jay understand that I am his mother and what I say goes. It's been like that since we moved out of her house February, 2012. I guess in many ways I have myself to blame for not fully asserting myself as the CMO- Chief Mother Officer. When Jay was younger, I treated him more like a little brother than anything. I suppose I am really blessed, though. Jay is a really good kid. Stephan and I don't had any major problems out of him. He does what he's told, says "Excuse me", "Please", and "Thank you", respects other adults, and cleans up after himself (that's a bonus). He is truly eager to learn, try new things, creative, innovative, funny, and and possesses an insatiable desire to learn more about Jesus. Thank you, Lord.

So, there's that. Dealing with his new attitude. I'm also behind on my studying. I've been trying to keep up on my biblical studies every night, but it's been so difficult. I've started getting up with Stephan at 5:15am just to read a few chapters to start my day. Then, I'll try to read a few more after Jay's lessons. I've been doing all of this extra reading to try to catch up to the present date in my study journey. I'm still behind. It's been really tough, but I'm not giving up. I'm just going to keep on plugging at it. As long as I'm digesting The Word everyday, then I'm ok.

There isn't too much more to say. God has been wonderful. Jay has learned so much. I've learned even more about him, myself, and the Lord. I'm eager to find out more over these next several months!