Lolly Lolly Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here

Confession time . . . I thought diagramming sentences was fun!

(GASP!)

I know, I know, I'm a bit strange.  But I couldn't help it!  I loved the predictability of parts of speech.  Algebra gave me hives, but my love for words and organization and rules made diagramming sentences a perfect fit for my dorky, wordy, essay writing self!

Unfortunately, my dear oldest son does not feel the same way.  He prefers . . . ummmm. . . Ninjago and netflix!

Thus yesterday's lesson on adverbs left me with a serious tension headache and him without video games. 

I wish I could say this is a rarity - that homeschooling is usually a precious time of bonding, smiling, and enjoying the gift of learning together.  But that would be a lie.   Homeschooling is hard.  Parenting is hard.

Although yesterday I felt like I was going to have a mental breakdown, God's mercies are new every morning and today went much better.  My boys worked diligently, listened respectfully, and completed their schoolwork quickly.   I desperately wish that was because last night in my sleep I had a vision that laid out the perfect recipe for homeschooling and behavioral bliss.  Ha!  When I woke up this morning (after actually dreaming about talking dogs and snow that turns into food - don't ask!) my sons and I were still human.  Still sinful, broken, selfish people. 

So today before we started our day, Caden and I took a walk.  I apologized for my stressed out impatient attitude yesterday.  I explained why Josh and I require that he do schoolwork that he hates and why we expect obedience.  I reminded him that I love him so much and my desire is to obey God by doing my very best to prepare him for adulthood.  I explained that I want him to be able to do WHATEVER God calls him to as an adult!  He was sweet and told me he understood and apologized for his behavior.


So, we both entered our day reminded of and grateful for Jesus' grace and forgiveness and desiring to love each other better throughout the day.

Tomorrow is another day.  Maybe it will be a day like today . . . or maybe it will be more like yesterday.  Either way, I am grateful that God never gives up on me.  He's patient with my failures as I am learning to be more like Him.  Thank you Jesus.  I promise to keep fighting the good fight!