Life goes on...

We've been through a huge transition the past month - settling into a new home, in a new city, a new climate, all new people and friends, new church, new work. So much in our lives right now is different and unfamiliar. One thing has remained constant, though. I never anticipated when I began homeschooling that it would be an anchor in the lives of my boys in the midst of change. It's something that is familiar, something that stays the same. Our homeschooling is one thing the boys don't have to transition to. I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity to teach these little ones at home. Here are some snapshots of recent life.

After Kai practiced writing his spelling words with chalk, we decided to draw ourselves, too.

I love Jude's chalk belly.

A sweet little Ezzy smile

Koa watches his brothers color with chalk. Love those chubby cheeks!

I had to include this shot that surprised me when I uploaded the pictures. Scott took this when he came home late one evening and found all the boys had crept one by one into my bed!

Making flan.

It's so much fun to stir things, isn't it?

Kai is really into his science activities and made this notebook on his own to record his experiments.

Potty training! Jude likes his little hippo potty. When we talk about using the regular toilet, he looks at me with a shocked expression and says, "No! I fall!" With a tone like, how could you even suggest that to me?

Lots of swimming! I have to say, my boys seem to be able to focus much better on seat work when they have an opportunity to get their energy out. The pool is GREAT for this. Kai seems to be much more focused and on task when he has a good swim!

Life is crazy, good, busy as ever and my heart is full. I love these little boys and I'm so glad I get to spend each and every day with them.

p.s.

Just in case you wanted to know what Scott's been up to, you can visit our family ministry site: scottandleslie.com

Learning to swim... Jude style

Those who know Jude, know his infectious personality, his win-you-over smile and contagious laugh. When it comes to learning how to swim, as in most things he does, he doesn't hold back. Right now he has us laughing watching him do belly flop after belly flop. He just runs head first into the pool! He's not one to be left behind, so he's doing double-time to keep up with his big brothers!

Our new place... i LOVE it!

a book we're enjoying

A House for Hermit Crab (The World of Eric Carle)

I love Eric Carle books. His art work is so unique and the stories are captivating. You might be familiar with some of his most popular books - Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Very Hungry Caterpillar. I just wanted to share about A House for Hermit Crab, which is not as well known, because it's a book the boys are really enjoying right now in this time of adjustment. It's a great book to help children through transitions and changes. Here's what it's about:

Eric Carle is the creator of many beloved books about animals, birds and insects, but he says that he feels particularly fond of Hermit Crab, the hero of this book. He wrote and illustrated Hermit Crab's story to show young readers that new experiences are not to be dreaded but are really wonderful opportunities.

This post was written in under 30 minutes as part of the Steady mom 30 minute blog challenge.

Homeschool in Jaco

Our first day back to homeschool in our new home...

...with our new neighbors!

Getting there...

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good." Genesis 50:20

Getting to Jaco has not been easy. In fact it was one of the hardest things we've ever gone through as a family.

There was so much confusion, miscommunication and misunderstanding in finding the right home - even to the point of almost damaging important relationships in Jaco.

Then we struggled with our landlord to be released 15 days early from our contract so we wouldn't have to pay rent in two places. The stress of waiting to find out and not knowing what to do was overwhelming. We finally heard from our landlord the night of the 31st that we would have to be out by the morning.

We had to remain in San Jose for another week to finish up the children at risk school, but had no where to stay.

Scott severely injured his knee.

We all got hit - the WHOLE family - with a major stomach bug involving vomitting and diarrhea and sleepless nights going through that with all the children.

"...but God intended it all for good."

Yes, you could say it's been a rough few weeks. But in all these hardships and what feels like a spiritual battle, we have not been defeated. We win. And this is why.

In the midst of the confusion of finding the right home, God gave us peace and showed us clearly the house He has for us. He gave us a price that is unheard of in this area. All relationships are intact.

Even though we found out that we had to move at the last minute, we called friends from YWAM and over 10 people showed up the night of the 31st and packed our whole house up. They stayed til the job was done. A friend had a friend who has a moving truck and it all worked out. While Scott was with the moving truck in Jaco, other friends had the boys over to play. 7 more people showed up to help me scrub and clean the house so we could get our deposit back. We were never alone.

At the same time, a family welcomed us into their home and asked us to stay as long as we needed to. They cared for us when Scott injured his knee so I wasn't on my own taking care of everyone. They cared for us when everyone was sick. They loved us and our children and treated us like their own family.

Two friends volunteered to go with me to Jaco and help me set up the house ahead of time so it would be ready when we arrived with our boys. When I got sick in Jaco and passed out on the bathroom floor, they unpacked for me and when we couldn't finish, they even made the trip with me a second time so we could finish up.

I think the enemy was really trying to discourage us in any way possible, but God, using His body, the body of Christ, showed us love through these friends that were there for us in our time of need. It's humbling to be in such a place of need. But I am left completely amazed and overwhelmed and thankful. God used these trying circumstances to show us His love and power in an amazing way - through the love and care of those around us. We're home now and we're settling in and we're at peace.