Day in the life of a Bradford

Well it has been a busy week so far. I took my van in Monday to be repaired from the accident I had on Labor Day, the week before. I got a rental, a Crysler Town & Country. I don't think I'll want to take it back it is so nice. Jessica said, "wow!, Mommy it is so clean!" Well of course it is it only has 855 miles on it. Our van was clean when it only has 855 miles on it. LOL
I have to say I left the house at 8am. I was gone until 10:30am. The kids did their school work while I was gone. I am so proud of them! I thank God everyday for trustworthy, obedient kids. They have there days like most. But Monday they did great!!!
Tuesday was our run around day. Jess started out with piano at 2pm. She did great. I am so blessed to be able to provide this opportunity for her. I would have loved to have taken piano as a kid, but the fund just weren't there. So I am grateful, that we can. Then we she finished piano we came home for a snack and rest for 45 min. Then I took her to an art class at First Baptist. Her teacher is a homeschool mom too! Awesome! Jess loved the class and can't wait till the next one. While I waited for her, I walked/ran the perimeter of the church 4 times, a total of 1.30 mi. I used my time wisely. Finally, after her art class she had soccer practice, luckily at the church so we didn't have to drive far. I had planned on going home to fix dinner while she practiced, but her art teacher came out and we started talking about homeschooling.
It is a blessing to meet other homeschoolers who understand the time and energy it takes to homeschool. Every year, I think, this is it, I am not doing this any more. Everyday I fear that I am not doing enough. Are they getting it? Do they miss public school? Well they can't miss what they never had, right? They have never been in a public school setting. I worry that they won't succeed. Don't all parents worry about that? I would worry what they were exposed to if I sent them away. I would worry about whose bullying them. I would worry whether they are understanding what is being taught and what if they get left behind. Parenting can be a life of worrying.
I will trust in God. Who has called me to homeschool my children for a reason. We want to provide a customized curriculum based on their individual needs. We want to provide for them a safe learning environment. We want to provide for them opportunities to learn as fast or as slow as they need to, without competition. We want to provide for them opportunities to dig in God's word without fear of being ridiculed for their faith. We want to watch our kids faces and they learn new exciting things daily. It is a blessing. It is a sacrifice. It is a calling.
I love being at home with my kids. Andy says I will have the worse empty nest syndrome because I am never alone. I'm sure I will. I will never regret the choices we have made. Gods plan will prevail regardless of where my kids are taught. I just want to do my best while they are with me.

Acts 2:25-28

I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore,my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. My body will also live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence.

Let this verse soak in. Isn't it beautiful? The Lord is at my right hand. What does this mean? I am no theologian. But to me, it means he is close enough to feel. You know, when you are walking with your hubby or child you can reach out and grab their hand, and feel secure, safe. Then because God is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. There is nothing I can't do without God knowing about it.
Therefore I will rejoice with my words and actions. I have a hope that God will not abandon me when I think all else is lost. He is still there hand out stretched. He knows what lies ahead for me, and I will be filled knowing as long as I follow him, I will not be MOVED!

Choose to live in the world, but not of it.

What to say?

A new week is ahead of us. A week of school, work, cooking, cleaning and so forth. Last week, went very well for us. A new week always brings new experiences. Whether you are outside the home or inside the home we all can count on a new something. A new concept to teach/learn in school, a new job assignment, a new recipe, a new scent in cleaning products. Okay I know I'm pushing it now. LOL
Did you know God renews us every day? In Isaiah 40:29, He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I love this. Yes, a new week is upon us and all the things I mentioned aren't new. They are the same things we do every week. Sometimes we tire of them. I know I get tired of cooking. When you have all the kids home you tend to cook 3 meals a day. It gets tiring! But God reminds me that in my weariness, he renews my strength. He lifts me up. He is my rock.
I thank God today for renewing me. Make me new Lord so that I can live life for YOU.

Day 2 of my blogging adventures

Well, today has been an eventful day.
First, I got up at 5:40am to take Justin to water polo. Ahh the things we do for our kids. Normally, wake up time for the school year here is 6:15am for me, 7am for the kids. This is so I can get a workout in. So today was early for me!!!
Okay so I dropped off Justin than went to the gym to walk the treadmill. I decided to do the cardio program. I was on an incline of 11.4 for atleast 10 min, than it alternated between 10.9, going up and down. I felt as if I was walking up and down a very steep hill. No biggie. Right? Wrong! When I finished my workout, I came home showered and went to pick up Justin. This is when I noticed a pain in my lower back. At first, I thought maybe I slept wrong. Then I thought maybe this is a side effect from my meds. When I leaned over to give Justin a hug and he wrapped his arm around my lower back, pain radiated, and I decided to call the DR. to make sure this was not med related.
Well with the back pain, dry lips, eyes and nose. I am not all peachy keen jellybean, if you know what I mean. I am short with the kids and I just want to lie on the couch, but I can't because I have to keep my chin up and keep pushing on. Isn't that what mothers do?
Dr. called back and the back pain must be from my workout. She said she had never heard anyone experience back pain from the meds. She said take an advil, cold compact, and epson bath if it doesn't get better. Also, she reminded me to not additional vitamins at this time. Any extra Vitamin A will make my side effects worse. Dully noted!(don't know if I spelled dully, right, but you get the point)
I pray that my back pain goes away. The meds have minimal side effects and that the kids and I get used to getting up earlier than usual.
God Bless you and have an awesome day!! By the way I started this at 11am. It took 1 hr with 100 interruptions in between.

Blogging vs journaling?

I have tried journaling for years and failed. I was cleaning out my office recently and found 3 "journals" that were started and yes, never finished. I always have good intentions, but can't seem to follow through.
One area in my life I have followed through with is the well fair of my family. WELL Thank goodness for that.....ehh.
I've written in a journal now for 5 straight days. Yeah I always do that, so it's really no big day. It's sticking with it after those 5 days, that's the challenge! I thought well I'll take it to a higher level, blogging. Which if you noticed I started a long time ago and haven't been back in months. So I am going to try. You can read along if you like, but I'm really not all that exciting. LOL
Home schooling is a part of my life so I'll obviously be talking alot about that. Hope that's ok.
It's a new school week for us. We started school last week, just a few subjects, but we started. This week we are in FULL SWING, ALL SUBJECTS ARE A GO! (Except REACH subjects, those start tomorrow after tonights meeting when I will get their books)
Today also signifies DAY 7 of Accutane meds. I've actually taken 6 doses. I noticed yesterday that my lips are a little drier than normal, but other than that I am A-OK. I also have a few new nodules on my face, but I'm used to that. I continue to pray for minimal side effects and maximum results.
Finally, I would like to share with you the Bible verse that spoke volumes to me today. It is found in Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all you soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey Him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to the by oath.

Love Letters

You see our pastors wife once told me that she asked for a love letter every once in a while and I thought okay I'll try it and see what my hubby does.
The first time I asked his eyebrows went up as they do, when he is surprised or interested in something. Then he said ok. Wow, that was it. He's going to write me a love letter. Sweet!
Then when I read it I melted. He poured his heart out on paper just for me. It was the sweetest note ever.
You know Mother's Day was just a few weeks ago and I asked Andy for a love letter. This time he typed it and read it to me and the kids. Of course, I melted again and thought how special it was to have him read this in front of the kids. The kids know how much we care for each other and run to the other room if we show affection in front of them. But, here they heard from their dad's heart how he felt about me. I was fully satisfied. There isn't a gift in the world that could give me what Andy gave me that day. It was "priceless". Cards don't come close to what he really feels. His words not words of a stranger.
Now look at this from a Biblical point of view. God's word is a love letter. In His word he reminds us how much he loves us, cares for us, and wants us to have the best. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He wants to be a intimate part of our lives. We can read his love letter every day and learn more about Him. We grow closer to him when we spend time with him.
I teach Jr high girls Bible Study. We tell them how God uses relationships as a picture of his love. My marriage is a picture of God's love for me. Andy loves me, but God loves me more.

Uh-oh

Well my kids are great to sort and start their laundry. I am so proud. But today the good deed claimed one of them. Yep! Justin washed and dried our house/his phone.
He prayed over it and it vibrated! He continued praying, but the vibrating ceased and now the phone has passed on to where most electronics go, "the trash".
So now we are in need of a phone. Mostly for the house. Justin is home most days, and only takes it out if he knows we will be great distances apart, like church. LOL
He is so upset. Oh the little things in life that make us sad.