So this is why you get married.

Sometimes I lose track of the big picture. We had a particularly stressful day, lesssons dragging along, oldest child remembers NOTHING of the the last 8 years of education, youngest child is sick in the bed ,and middle child........well... thank heaven for the middle child. A day when everytime that you walk into the room, that laundry pile has gotten BIGGER, and those floors STILL haven't been cleaned. So. It was that kind of day. The kind of day that Satan uses to pull the rug from beneath my feet. To cause me to focus on MY abilities (or lack thereof). The kind of day that makes you want to pull the covers back over your head. I am ashamed to see how easily that I am discouraged.

But that's why I have been given a partner in this adventure. This is when Race steps in and reminds me why we chose this route. He reminds me of the big picture. How when we started down this road it wasn't to produce -fill-in-the-worksheet scholars. We were aiming for the "whole child". To train their hearts as well as their minds. To teach them to THINK on their own. To prepare them to be used by God in whatever way that he sees fit. Because that is our responsibility. And ours alone. And THAT is a big job. And it is one that I am not able to do..... on my own. It is only through God's wonderful grace, and that alone, that success or fulfillment will come.

And Race reminds me that a 13 yr old squirming over theology.....isn't such a bad thing. That a boy who would rather play baseball than do algebra should bring a sigh of relief. And he reminds me that we have great kids. That as PEOPLE they are truly great. They LIKE to learn new things, they are funny and compassionate. They meet new challenges head on. They are well rounded. And they love the Lord.

So. Thank-you Race. Once again you have brought the perspective that helps keep this ship sailing. Thanks for reminding me that this is a marathon and not a sprint.

Savannah and I met Thom yesterday after I got my hair cut, (good cut, I'm happy). We got coffee and chatted for a bit. She is looking quite spiffy with her new found weight loss. Go Girl! We are at the 9 day count down till the beach. I am still doing my work outs. I realized last night that I have been working out close to 2 hrs each day! Abs in the morning, and then switching around at night with different tapes. That is TOTALLY a record for me. But I will be glad when it cools off a bit and I can start running. Sometimes it just seems so much easier to just throw your shoes on and get out the door, kwim? Now....if I can just keep at it, and not sputter out in a few weeks!

Have a great day!
While you're kissin on those babies, don't forget to kiss your spouse too!
Melissa