Taking Account....

I shouldn't be blogging right now. I should be cleaning the house, doing the adoption scrapbook, helping my daughter with her research paper, cooking, going to the grocery, preparing for art class, ______(fill in the blank). I could be on my feet easily 16 hours a day...or more! How many Moms couldn't?!?! I received some wise advise from some wise and dear friends this past week; Take time for yourself before you burn out. They were right. Sometimes it takes our girlfriends to tell us what our husbands already know, doesn't it? It's been a crazy school year in the Keyser house so far. Trips to Russia, Grandparents in and out, a new toddler, teaching at the Homeschool Co-op. I feel like I can barely keep my head above water. I'm tired, very, very, tired! I decided to take account of what did occur so far this year and the list was surprising.

(1) we completed an International Adoption (I think I ought to have a t-shirt that states this).

(2) Kari completed a Science Fair Project

(3) We hosted a weekly class on the Foundations of Western Civilization (OK, someone far more capable taught it...but, it was hosted in our basement!)

(4) many, many papers were written, edited and graded

(5) almost 100 math lessons per child have been completed

(6) my older 2 independently worked their way through a Greek & Latin Roots book

(7) MANY duck tape items were created by Luke....MANY

(8) at the behest of our neighbors, a porch project has been nearly completed

(9) I have made many batches of SuperBroth

(10) I have planned for and taught 80+ Art Classes

(11) Luke is working through another vision therapy session with daily exercises and bi-weekly appointments

(12) Ana is learning animal letter sounds and speaking more and more English each day

(13) we have attended and/or played in football games, basketball games, lacrosse games and gone skiing

(14) we cleaned and organized our upstairs office in which every flat surface was formerly covered with papers

(15) Matt completed our Tax Preparation (after said office was cleaned!)

Now I don't list these things as a list of MY or even OUR FAMILY'S "accomplishments". I list them as a reminder to myself that God, in His mercy and kindness, has allowed us to function and carry on amidst what has felt like endless chaos. We are in a season, a very busy season, but not a season to be forgotten in a blur of activities and a "let's just get through this" attitude. It's all good, all from God's hand...every last box that gets checked, every new word that Ana says, every meal that showed up in November, every encouraging word from friends and strangers. Thank you, Father.