Okay, yeah, the snow didn't really tell me to homeschool the kids. But, let me give a brief overview with my announcement on the blog for (almost) the first time -- we have decided to homeschool the boys next year.
I hadn't wanted to write about it on the blog yet until I felt pretty confident that we were going to go ahead with it. But, now that I feel excited and confident about our decision, I wanted to go ahead and share it.
Homeschooling is something that we have considered for a while, but I have always just put out of my mind. Before Noah was going to start kindergarten, I thought about it some more, but then went ahead and put him into public school. And, again when Jack was having so many problems in school, I thought about it, but, again, I set it aside.
It was brought to the front of my mind again several months ago when a woman that I didn't know at church turned around at the end of Mass and said something along the lines of, "I know this might sound funny -- but do you homeschool or have you considered it?" Seriously. Right there in the church. She told me later that she had not done that before, nor has she done it since. She just felt called to ask. It isn't hard to imagine that the Holy Spirit was working through her.
She got me on an email list for a group of Catholic homeschoolers, but then I changed email addresses and forgot to grab her email address before deleting it. Then, a chance discussion with her sister-in-law ended up getting me back on the emailing list.
And, then many others "signs" seemed to indicate to me that I was being called to bring the children home for school.
Despite actually having two current teaching licenses, I told Eric one night, "I just don't know that I feel qualified." He laughed. But, then at Mass that week, in our associate pastor's homily, he said that even if we don't feel qualified for what God is calling us to do, if God is calling us, then it is what He wants for us. Seriously -- no joke. I almost wanted to stand up and say, "Okay, God, I get it." But, still, I said I was praying for a clearer sign. (This is the point at which Eric and I joked that at some point Jesus might come to our front door and say, "Really, Angie, I think I have been clear enough, haven't I?")
Finally, one day a couple of weeks ago, I opened the blinds as I put away dishes. This, I admit, is not something I do often. (The opening of blinds, not the dishes, which is done far too often for my liking.) There was snow on the ground, but it was not snowing. It was actually crystal clear outside.
I was busy thinking about what my boys had told me the day before about their discussion with the school OT (occupational therapist) about that we might homeschool. I silently kept saying, "I just don't know. What should I do?"
At that moment, I looked up and snow was everywhere. It was coming down in huge snowflakes that were quickly swirling all around as far as I could see. It was then that I took a deep breath and had an argument with God.
We argued talked for a couple of minutes. I kept saying that I just wasn't sure. Would I do a good job? Would it all work out? Throughout this, I felt God's gentle urging, "Just a year. Commit to a year for now. I'll be with you." All the while, the snow was flying through the air at a breakneck speed.
"Okay!" I shouted, all alone in the kitchen, but with my eyes gazing upward, knowing that I wasn't really alone. "One year. I promise You, unless something happens between now and next school year that makes it impossible, I'll commit to the year and see where it goes from there."
And then, the snow stopped. Immediately and completely. And, I think I stopped breathing for a moment.
Then, I couldn't help but say aloud, "You think You're pretty funny, don't You?"
I continued to put away my dishes and then thought to myself, "Huh. So, am I really going to do this?"
I looked up at the window, and then snowflakes started to fall again where there had been none just a moment before. I have to admit that at that point, I just laughed and shook my head. "Okay, okay. I get it. No more doubts for now," I announced, standing at the sink, with a calm submission.
The snow, again, stopped. I went to the phone and called Eric at work, just to make sure it hadn't only snowed in our backyard. (It hadn't, by the way. It really had done this crazy sudden snow all around town, which stopped just as suddenly as it started.)
I shared this story with someone I know. She said, "I guess you must have started praying just before it started snowing."
I guess it would be easy to believe that. Why would God take the time to talk to me that afternoon? Maybe it was just all a coincidence and a matter of good timing. Perhaps I am kooky to have seen more than just an unexpected weather pop-up.
My faith, however, tells me otherwise, and I know that I was not alone in the kitchen that afternoon.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Snow Told Me To Homeschool the Kids
Monday, March 10, 2008
Noah's First Communion Banner
We finished up Noah's First Communion banner this weekend, and then we were able to turn it in!
With Noah being our oldest, we haven't had to make a First Communion banner before, so we did have to look around online for the general concept, but then went with our own design.
First...I just have to say -- oh man! I *love* the self-adhesive felt that I picked up. The felt for the chalice had a sticky back, and not only was it easier to put on the burlap we were given for our banner, but it also made it easier to cut. I also bought self-adhesive 2" black letters as well. They were more than I wanted to spend, but they were SO worth it!
Noah was very impressed with the glitter felt that I picked up, so we decided to try to brainstorm for an idea of how to use our favorite one that I picked up -- the one we ended up using for a sky.
I will admit -- Eric and I did all of the cutting, and then we helped with the layout, but Noah helped as well. All three of us did some of the puffy paints -- Eric doing the the actual artsy version of the puffy paint, me doing the top of the chalice to make sure it looked like a chalice (and the cross, again, to make sure it came out clearly), and then Noah did the wobbly outline of the chalice. I found myself stressing some about that not being perfect, and then I thought, "Darn it -- it's his banner, it's okay if it actually looks like he helped."
Really -- I suspect that when I look back at it in years to come, that wobbly gold glitter puffy paint will be my favorite part.
You can check out other links to see other examples of First Communion Banners or even How to Make a First Communion Banner.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Menu Plan Monday: March 10th Edition
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Welcome to the Party! (There's Even a Door Prize!)
I can't believe I got so busy that I almost forgot about the Ultimate Blog Party!
So, if you are visiting via the Ultimate Blog Party on 5 minutes for mom -- WELCOME!
Here's the quick synopsis of me and my blog -- My name is Angie, and I'm a 31 year old stay-at-home Mom (who works with Early Intervention for a few hours a week when my husband is home). My high school sweetheart and I have been married for almost 12 years, and we are still best friends. We have three children -- ages 8, 6, and 3, and they are just fabulous (though our three year old has become quite the sassy princess).
While I cover many topics here at Many Little Blessings, it seems that most of those topics fall under faith, family, and household management, peppered with little funnies that my kids come up with, products that I love, adventures in raising kids with special needs, and I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more about homeschooling next school year. (Shh...that's the first time I've mentioned that here on the blog.)
As a door prize to welcome you to my blog, I will randomly draw a name from those who comment on this post between now and March 14th (when the Ultimate Blog Party ends). That winner can pick a Mommy Card/Business Card design from my Etsy Shop -- Autumn Daisy Studio -- and I will print them a set of 100! If you don't think you can use them, I will even allow you to have them printed as stickers, and you can use them for book labels or with a teacher's name on them for an end of the year teacher gift! The possibilities are endless!
Just leave a comment to enter to win the door prize!
Thanks for stopping by Many Little Blessings!
Oh...and as requested in the rule guidelines, I need to list which prizes I am most interested in winning (seriously -- if you haven't gone to check out all the prizes available, you really must!). Here are my top six picks...
1. Prize # 14 — 12X12 Custom Wall Canvas; Provided by: JuJu Beane Boutique
2. Prize # 63 — $50 Gift Certificate; Provided by: Emily Rose
3. Prize # 61 — The Very Cool Lunchbox; Provided by: Victoria P. Zurcher Designs
4. Prize # 34 — Custom Tutu; Provided by: Live~Love~Dance Boutique
5. Prize # 7 — Bead Dangle Photo Tile Necklace; Provided by: Elemental Memories
6. Prize # 129 — $15 Amazon.com Gift Certificate; Provided by: Mommy Cracked
