A Consideration... And Prayer Request

Oh how this is a hot button issue. I had no idea.

So Frankie and I are beginning to consider homeschooling. For the first few years. I don't know, til 2nd grade, til 4th grade, I don't know. It is simply a thought right now. A consideration. Yet also a prayer request. I don't need 241 comments on this blog about everyone's individual opinions on whether or not I should homeschool. I would not base a decision like that upon everyone else's opinions. However, I would like to ask for prayer on it.

I am homeschooling Victoria for preschool this year. Next year she would be entering kindergarten. Frankie and I have been doing a lot of talking lately. Mostly just between the two of us, and now I am branching out talking to moms who have had some experience with it and can give me some deeper insight into it. Our basic thoughts are this: as her parents, we want to control the influences surrounding her. Giving her daily interaction with positive role models and minimal interaction with negative role models. And implementing biblical principles and scripture into her education is extremely important to us. I am not the least concerned about socialization. We go to Sunday school, BSF, gymnastics, playdates, etc etc. Some may say that's sheltering, but you know what? I like to challenge that thought.... so what's wrong with that?? As her parent I feel that's my responsibility. She doesn't NEED to be exposed to everything out there. She will be eventually. So why not establish the strongest foundation possible while she is young and while I still have the ability to control her learning environment? If the theory is to get them out there and just give them the opportunity to make the right choices then why not send them to a party at 16 years old when you know there will be drinking... just to give them the opportunity to make the right choice. No, I feel there is a certain amount of limits you can place on your child to help keep them from stumbling. Once they reach a certain age you can't do that anymore... you HAVE to let go. But right now I don't. So I want to take advantage of it. Not too many years from now, my opinion, Frankie's opinion... they won't hold much weight. Her friends, her peers, the "cool crowd"... those opinions will matter. But if she has had that daily interaction with her father and I for those first few years, and is more grounded... I'm thinking she will be able to make better choices. And not hold so much value to that "cool crowd" opinion.

Does that mean I have decided for certain on homeschooling? No. I am not sure I am fully equipped to do so. But I have a husband that is home during the day, and also desires to go down this path. And having his help is huge.

And another thing to consider: we travel a lot. We left just about everything behind when we picked up and moved to Fresno in February of 2005, only 5 months after getting married and settling into our little condo in Anaheim Hills. I was terrified. I knew no one. I had no family here. No church. I certainly couldn't fathom starting a family here "all alone." Granted, God has worked through all that and we love it here. We have established an incredible life here and I am thankful EVERY day for it. And for Frankie's job. It allows us to go where ever we want... on a Tuesday afternoon. Go to southern california in middle of the week. And stay a week if we want. Go camping for 2 weeks if we want. Not only when the schools have days off. Once we put V in school those trips are going to be extremely limited. Seeing our family will be very limited. Neither of us want that. Again, eventually she will be in school. Can't completely avoid that and don't want to. But for now, it would be a great advantage to be going at our own pace, making our own schedule.

So, what's the point of this post again?? Oh ya, to ask for prayer on this. I am going to do my research, really check into this and really pray about it. I believe with all my heart God will reveal what would be best for our family. Any prayers to get us to that point would be helpful. :)

It's baaaaack!

BSF. It's finally here again. Starts September 15th.

Victoria has shed several tears this summer over missing it. Sometimes we would listen to her BSF songs they sang while studying the book of John this last year.... and after about the 2nd or 3rd song she would cover her face and just start crying. Such a genuine cry too. Not whiny. Just tears. And she would try to compose herself long enough to tell me she is sad because she hasn't been to BSF in SO long. She even referred to her two teachers as her grandmas. They'll love to hear that.

And I have definitely not been in the word as much as I would have liked to have been over the summer. I still need the accountability. And it's here! Yaaay! We will be studying the book of Isaiah. Which is totally new. They have never done this study before so it should be interesting.... especially considering Isaiah is all about warning and judgement. Yikes. This could be a very convicting year.... bring it on!

http://www.bsfinternational.org/

Calling All Babysitters

What do I need to do... put an ad out in the paper?? Babysitter troubles are so stressful!

So we first had this wonderful sitter pretty regularly. Charlotte. Loved her. A heart for children, and for blessing others by caring for their children. Yet life changes happen, and she took on a new opportunity within the church that would no longer allow her the availability to babysit for us. Great for her, but of course I was super bummed for our loss. Ok so moving on.... we then interviewed one of her closest friends, Rebekah. SUCH a doll. Bubbly, active, and fun. V loved her right away so she was our sitter for the last 3 months. Then again, life changes. It was time to start a new school year, which for Rebekah, is in southern california. Nooooooo!!!

So here we are, back at square one. We just had a new sitter watch the girls last Sunday evening, and it went well. Sophie didn't even cry when she walked in which is HUGE. But the poor thing can't live off babysitting, she is also a waitress and her schedule is constantly changing. So we are in desperate need of another one. MUCH easier said than done.
Do I just wear a sign on my back everywhere I go:

Looking For Babysitter who....

-is completely honest
-is not afraid to deal with a meltdown here or there
-isn't afraid to have fun and be silly
-loves the Lord
-will love and understand my children
-will comfort them as needed

.... okay is this too much to ask?? Maybe it is... but I don't think so. Please, mystery babysitter, if you're out there, contact me!!! We need you.

Saving Grace

So for several months now Victoria and I have been getting into conversations about Jesus. She knows what the Trinity is. She knows Jesus died on the cross. She knows He is God's Son. And as soon as I attempt to dive a little deeper with her, it would go something like this...

Me: "So V, do you know what? You can have Jesus live forever in your heart, if you just ask Him. Do you understand? You just have to ask Him to come into your heart and He will forever be with you and guide you and take care of you."

(A long silent pause...)

V: "Look Mommy! A balloon!!"

Oh, the lengthy attention span of a 3 1/2 year old.

So last week, I was getting V ready for the day. She was standing on her stool brushing her teeth and I was doing her hair. And she happened to mention that Jesus is up in heaven. I replied yes He is, and reminded her that not only is He in heaven, He is with her, and He can come and live in her heart when she asks him to. Again, the silence. Then, "Mommy, I want to ask Him." I about dropped the hairbrush and ran to get Daddy. We went into her room and sat down on the floor. Daddy prayed and she repeated after him- thanking God for sending His Son to die for us. Asking Him into her heart. We said "Amen" and she precedes to throw a ball at Daddy while he and I exchange smiles.

A few hours later, I was putting V down for her nap. We hadn't mentioned her prayer earlier in the day, but we always pray before she goes to sleep so she lays down and she begins to pray... "Dear God, thank you for Mommy, Daddy, sissy and V. And please God help Jesus come and live in my heart. In Jesus' name, Amen." Tears stung my eyes as I kiss her and tell her how special that prayer was. I walked out of her room and shut the door, praying thank you Lord. That was June 30, 2010. A memorable day marked in our lives.

Thinking about it later, as some may consider it "unofficial," I was thankful and believing in God's saving grace. He knows what little she understands. Yet she thought of Him on her own, and wanted to have whatever she could comprehend of Him. Which is that He loves her more than anything, He died to save her, she can talk to Him, and He lives in her heart. What AMAZING grace. And even more so, someone like me, who knows so much more of sin, selfishness, shame and lacking that child-like faith... yet by grace I am saved.

Thank you Lord.

I Am Running

I started running in the mornings. I'm getting up at 6 AM five days a week and running. If I would have known how much I would love it, I would have started a long time ago. Yes, the alone time is relaxing. The exercise is refreshing and energizing. The weather is perfect. The morning sun, the blooming flowers, it's all so peaceful. Yet that isn't just what I started loving so much about it. My first day of running I turn the corner out of our track and I start music on my iPod. And no joke, this is the first song that comes on.... (press play)



Yes, cheeseball, I know. But that's what happened. And it just set the mood for my whole run. Into marvelous light I AM running. Out of darkness, out of shame. By the cross You ARE the truth, You ARE the life, You ARE the way. I spent my whole jog worshipping Him. And thanking Him for the place He has brought me to in my life... to where I am desiring to glorify Him, to be the wife and mother He has called me to be. For blessing me with a husband who is the spiritual leader in our family. A husband that holds his wife's and daughter's hands and prays. Who encourages, serves, loves and appreciates me. Who makes it a joy to serve him. And for 2 beautiful and healthy daughters. And all of this only makes me want to know Him more. And read His word more. Which results in more glorification of Christ and more blessings. It's a beautiful cycle to be caught up in.

"I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12

So I love how simple it is- running. Into marvelous light.

Words of Wisdom (by Victoria)

February 8, 2010
"I want to go to outer space."

February 18, 2010
All of us are at a restaurant for lunch. V pulls a fork out of the napkin wrap and starts brushing her hair then excalims "I brush my hair like Ariel!"

March 5, 2010
After I kiss her goodnight... "Mommy, you have a cute tongue!"

April 13, 2010
We are planting flowers in our front yard. V puts on her princess gardening gloves to help. After a few minutes of helping us pack dirt around the freshly planted flowers, I find her in the house washing her princess gardening gloves in the bathroom sink "cause they got dirty."

May 10, 2010
V is jumping on the couch cushions, falls and does a backwards somersault. Hops back up and shrugs her shoulders saying, "It's all part of the plan, more or less."

May 28, 2010
After Sophie keeps pushing buttons on the tv and messing up the movie that was on... "I got an idea Mommy. We should put sissy in her highchair. She won't push the buttons anymore."

June 2, 2010
"You're so weird Mommy."

A "Wicked" Good Time

As Frankie's Christmas gift for me, he forfeited his gift and spent it all on two airline tickets for Boston. We were going to visit the Marinellis. In November 2006 my Aunt Kendall, Uncle Bob, and their (at the time) 3 children moved from Corona, CA to Massachusetts. Them and their now 4 children are greatly missed by us here in California. V is the same age as their youngest, Vincent. And they had never even met Sophie. Frankie could not have given a better Christmas gift to me... and our family. So on April 21st we took off from LAX at 7:15 AM. The girls did wonderful for the flight. Sophie snoozed twice in my arms. They snacked, watched Mickey Mouse and Finding Nemo on a portable dvd player. --------->
It was actually not as bad as I dreaded. Just over 5 hours later we were landing in Boston, MA.
Of course, there was a home-cooked meal and 4 excited children there to greet us. The whole next day was spent hanging out outside, in beautiful weather. V jumped her little heart out on the huge trampoline, while Sophie was content being chauffeured by Gemma in the barbie jeep.


The next day we all ventured out to the Yankee Candle Factory - holy cow - the coolest place on earth!! If you've never been I can't explain it, it's just awesome. The kids had a blast, especially at the fudge shop where they made every kind of fudge you could possibly fathom.

The next day was a bbq, and lots of relaxing outside - again, beautiful weather! The kids made a huge mud pit with a trinkling hose and had a blast.
Then came Sunday... Frankie and I were leaving the girls in Hubbardston with my mom and aunt and the kids, so we could go into the city of Boston and stay for 2 days. Other than leaving Sophie for the first time ever, I was ecstatic. I bent down to hug and kiss Sophie goodbye, and as odd as it sounds, it was like she knew. She just stared into my eyes so seriously, yet sweetly, and then snuggled with me for a minute (as I began to bawl of course). I kissed and hugged V bye, who I don't think could have cared less where I was going, as long as she was still hanging out with her cousins.
Our time in Boston was indescribable. We both completely fell in love with the city. From a game at Fenway park, to the INCREDIBLE Italian food, to the subways, walks through Boston Common, to the amazing history there... from beginning to end AWESOMENESS.







After getting back from the city, it was wonderful seeing everyone again. We spent our last night at Pizza Palace. That was fun. Even though Pizza Palace is the only pizza place in Hubbardston, it IS Hubbardston. :) I think we saw one other family there. And since there were so many of us we went into the back party room and the kids had so much fun. Especially when spending probably a total of $10 in quarters on the claw machine to finally grab an elephant which V brought home and named Tiny.
Goodbyes were heart-wrenching. But we cherished our time there and made unforgettable memories. And we so much look forward to the next time.
The flight home.... well, don't really want to talk about that. 6 hours + kids on Boston time + evening flight + very cranky baby who could not go to sleep = bringing mommy and baby to tears in the cramped airplane bathroom. NOT good times. We made it through crazy LAX at 9:00 at night with 2 exhausted kids- one a cranky baby and the other a constipated 3 yr old. Aye aye aye. But we survived and as always it was good to be home. Bed at 11:00 that night NEVER felt so good.

Thank you Frankie for the incredible gift. Thank you Marinellis for opening your home to add more craziness, yet more fun. ;)
V thanks God for you every night in her prayers. We miss you all and love you very much, can't wait to see you again.