Before this Fall I had so much spare time on my hands, it was embarrassing. I puttered around the house, looking for dust to wipe and cookies to bake, running out to the library to find books to read, and popping onto my computer to catch up on Words With Friends more times than I could count. I was bored and lazy. I did enjoy taking some extra time to read and research several interesting Bible topics, but that did not take up the majority of my time. From 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, I was unfettered, a roaming soul in the abyss of "daytime."
I still manage to find time to do everything mentioned above, but the majority of my time is now spent with my kids: chatting, reading, helping, cutting, advising, prepping, photo-copying, cuddling, cooking, interpreting, and marking. I mentioned to my hubby tonight that I cannot ever remember being this non-stop busy through the day. I managed to find an hour to read this afternoon, between the end of school-time (our science experiment is sitting on the bookshelf, waiting to be followed up on in a week) and dinner time. It was wonderful! I read a couple pages and then fell asleep!
Tonight I sat down after dinner and sewed. It had been too long since I had a chance to sew. I didn't make a whole lot, just some "Magic Bags" to sell at a Mom to Mom Sale this weekend, but it felt good to get in there and make something.
I like being busy! Who knew??? I guess good old Solomon was right. It is good to find satisfaction from your work! (That's at the end of Ecclesiastes 5.) I feel useful. I feel like I'm finally having the kind of impact I wanted to have on my children.
We have interesting discussions throughout the day. We talk about life and living and things that matter for eternity. Yes, we talk about Math and History and Science and English and French, too... But regardles of the subject, we're talking! All day long, there's constant conversation. Sure, there are moments of quiet, but the conversation doesn't stop. It just kinds of ebbs and flows.
I'm just starting out in this new way of doings things, and I realize that I have a lot to figure out, but I feel like I've finally found my groove. This just feels right!
I'm so happy & proud of you for all that you are doing with your three kids. It's a tremendous responsibility, by you also get tremendous joy in seeing that what you are doing really IS making a difference in their lives.
ReplyDeleteI hope (and pray) that it is making a difference. I can already see a change in how they think and process things. They are suddenly more intentional about learning, as am I, when we're together as a family.
DeleteI realize that your life isn't all sunshine and roses, well maybe a few thorns, however, I find it very inspiring to read your blog and think about the things you are doing.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing what I have only dreamed of. God Bless you and you all in this endeavor.
Thanks for the encouragement, Dawn. Not too many thorns, really. Mostly sunshine and rain and the occasional rose. Life, really. But a good life.
Deleteyou're an amazing woman Wanda!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, Janina, you still put me to shame! I do it for my own kids; you do it, and so much more, for OTHER people's kids!
DeleteWanda, you know as well as I that you could have been anything you wanted (I always said you's have made a SUPER lawyer - you're so quick on your feet), but you chose to do what is right and righteous. It will make a difference now, but WAYYYYY more down the road.
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The right kind of busy does feel so good. Sometimes we're busy just filling up time but when we're busy filling up our children's needs it just feels good.
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