I think that I was a pretty good sport about the cold this winter. I tried not to complain too much, I embraced the winter clothes, and I even think I managed a few, "it wasn't too bad" comments. So when "spring" arrived a few weeks ago I was incredibly proud of myself. I kept thinking, "Wow, I did it. I made it through winter." And I really believed that, as much as I dislike winter, that "it wasn't that bad."
So, can you please tell me, oh dear blog readers, WHERE DID MY SPRING GO? Where did the warm (and even hot) days disappear to. The warm breezes came, the trees began to bud, and birds arrived. I even went shopping for some spring clothes for the family because we didn't have any. And then what?
COLD, COLD, COLD. And not just a day or two. We are going on almost two solid weeks of cold with most days not getting too much above freezing. There have been snow flurries. The poor birds have been crazed, flying all over the place and back again, probably wondering "Did we screw this up? Did we come back too early?"
So, you know what? I quit. I quit winter and I quit cold. And I am moving here:
You think I am kidding, do you? Well, I'm not. As of July 1, Orlando will be mailing address.
And actually, to be honest, we have known since November. I just didn't want to jinx it by saying anything.
It's a long story, but I will *try* to keep it short :)
Back in November we flew down to Florida for two reasons: to see my 98 year old grandmother and to visit some friends of ours that we worked with in Malaysia. They are working at a children's home in Orlando and we wanted to see them and the place where they worked. At that time, it was obvious to us that if certain things stayed the same, there was no way we could choose to stay on at the school her in Nebraska. Those things didn't change, and we learned they wouldn't, and not only did we realized that we wouldn't be continuing next year, it became apparent that for the good of our family (and my stress level) that I would step out of the dorm and have a semester of "just" being mom.
At the time we flew to Florida we knew that we were interested in this Children's Home (referred to most as just "The Ranch"). We feel called to residential ministry (living with those we work with) and just because this particular situation in Nebraska wasn't healthy for us, we didn't feel at liberty to walk away from our call. We didn't even WANT to walk away with it. Working with kids in a situation where you are with the 24/7 is a totally different kind of ministry than seeing them one or two days a week. You become family. And you get to have the impact that family does.
When we went to the Ranch in November we knew right away that it was a place that we would like to be. The weather is obviously appealing (though I may say otherwise in the heat of August!), but that really didn't have anything to do with it. The place just seems to gel so well with our philosophy of ministry and with our family status. They not only allow, but also EMBRACE families with small children. Many people think that houseparenting cannot be done with small children. And in some places, that is true. But the set up of the program at the Ranch makes it a fantastic place to raise a family. The supervisors (who we stayed with while we were there) came to the Ranch 25 years ago as a childless couple. They told people the job could be done with little kids...and they were right. All four of their children have been raised very happily there. Other houseparent families have raised children there. It is a child-friendly community and a child-friendly program. And, due to the nature of the program, the bedtime for the Ranch kids is 8:30 so once we have put our own kids to bed, and our Ranch boys to bed, we actually will have time to spend as a couple. Now THAT will be a new thing for us!
When we were there in November the supervisors asked us if we would like to come. We knew that we did. By early December a final offer had been made and we have been dreaming of warmer weather and of our new "kids" -- our 8-10 12 and 13 year old Ranch Boys.
A few things have come up since that time, which caused us to question deeply if this is where God would have us be. Thoughts of going back to Asia were hard to get rid of but in the end, the path always led back to the Ranch. And finally, the time seems close. We are already talking moving vans and ridding ourselves of winter coats.
And I can't wait.
We are excited to be back together as a family. Just like in Malaysia, we will have our days off (M-F) and work in the morning and in the later afternoon/evening. As the parents of preschoolers, I can't tell you what a blessing it is for BOTH of us to be with our kids during the day. A week or two ago, when Levi took his first steps, I remember being surprised because it was the first real milestone that one of our kids hit that Jason wasn't here for. And it made me sad. I know that working together is not for all couples. Some couples would admit that they would probably kill each other. But we just aren't like that. From the time we started dating we have always worked together. We do best as a team. Where he is strong, I am weak. Where he is weak, I am strong. We fit together. Alone, neither of us are all that amazing (I definitely found this out while working last semester basically without him). But together...we are great. We don't always act on our greatness and I can recount many things I wish I had done differently (especially in Malaysia) but I know without a doubt that we are a team. Our dream and our visions take shape together.
One of the things we are most excited for is to homeschool Alaina next year. It is something we have talked a lot about. Our choices are to send her to the public schools (which I hear are some of the best right in our area), to send her to a private school, or to homeschool. Each option has its advantages but in the end we always come back to keeping her home. I am just not ready to give the bulk of my daughter's day to someone else. And for those who know me, this isn't a mommy-obsession issue here. I readily (and quite willingly!) leave my kids with babysitters. It's just that I cannot think of letting other adults (and wayward children) be what fills my daughters day (and mind). I see how easily kids are influenced and when I read things like THIS I just know that I want to be the one in charge of my children. I want to be the one she learns from. I don't want to miss any of it...her learning to add numbers or write in cursive. I am just not ready to give that to someone else. So, next year (she is still in preschool) we will begin and get a feeling of it this is something that fits well with our family. I suspect it will, especially since we are both off during the day. I don't know how well I would do homeschooling if Jason were gone and I was trying to care for the other kids too. But with both of us there and both of teaching, I think it will go well. So, starting this summer, I will start researching and planning for the fall. I'm excited.
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No new LO's today. I didn't scrap any yesterday. We had Caleb's home visit (which really was just a visit...apparently they just talk to the mom the first time and then decide if they want to evaluate. So in two weeks the whole "team" will come and do the official evaluation). Jason got done with work early so we went out and had some nice family time. I was lamenting to Jason on the way home that I haven't felt inspired lately when it comes to my templates. Every time I sit down to make new ones I blank out and have no creativity. So, I haven't pushed it. But last night I got an idea and ran with it. And I am excited about it...hope you will be too. We'll see how it goes...if it goes will I might put it out this weekend.
But here is a LO I did two nights ago and forgot to post yesterday. Jen Wilson black paper, SP pink paper and notebook paper, Zoe Pearn stitching, Heather Ann month stickers, and Traci Murphy alpha. This was taken on April 3rd of last year :) There is a typo on it, I see, but I will have to fix that later. Right now I need to give some love to my two little boys who are fighting over a train :)
Have a great day!
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