Homeschooling has been going really well lately. We’ve all done our best to stick the schedule and the girls have been pretty good about staying on task. We still have tantrums here and there; Soul and Glow started it off yesterday, then True and Brave started bickering during math. Other than that normal kid disobedience and selfishness, I’ve been impressed with how well the girls have been working hard to get school work done. They know my motto, “Work first, then play!” Or sometimes watch (they get to watch on the iPad if all school work is done, they practiced piano, and all their areas are clean).

We’ve been studying fractions and True and Brave are doing so well with it. I think they have enjoyed feeling quite successful at math lately. We also started Life of Fred, so I think that’s really helped turn all of our attitudes about math around. They are starting to see how numbers and math relate to everyday life, and I’m enjoying the silly ways Fred teaches about math.

It’s been three weeks since the last time I’ve wanted to quit homeschooling; God continues to teach me patience and endurance through this. There is a lot of joy in being able to teach them, and not only the head knowledge stuff, but especially the heart stuff. We have lots of opportunities to talk about how we all mess up (kids and parents), and how much we need Jesus. When they bicker, I get the opportunity to help them see their selfishness and redirect them to repent, and ask forgiveness from the sibling they offended (and God). It’s not always easy, and I’m not always patient; my selfishness is really being revealed through this parenting business. The more I see my mess ups, the more I see how much I need grace and gospel. And it’s not about never messing up (because I will and they will), but it’s about knowing that Jesus already covered all of it, and letting that be what drives our hearts and transforms our minds.