Another day, another discussion

Each day is a brand new day to have a talk with my children. The subjects aren't always the same but sometimes the need for a repeat conversation does present itself. Some conversations are fun, I love hearing their reactions and their ways of explaining back to me what I've said. Others are hard, they aren't fun but they are necessary. I can admit in the midst of my stress, my health issues, my overtired medication fogs and summer rout that I've found myself in....I have not been the best at "talking" but rather quick to yell, quick to build a wall or even quick to shut down. It's horrible, I know! I have cried myself to sleep many nights over it.

All of it started the first time my son called me "the evil step-mother." He meant it too, still comes out from time to time. No, he doesn't mean that I am his dad's new wife, not his biological mother, but rather than mean and evil mother he sees on some of his sister's movies and shows. I came home to put first things, first.....to give my kids the best of me, not just what was left of me. What have I become? In just a year of being home full time, I have become burnt out, beat down, discouraged and feeling alone. But it's time for change! For all of us! A better, calmer, more loving mother....like I used to be. Children who feel more incentive to behave appropriately than they do to give in to their every desire. I realize that a good chunk of this change has happened since we ended our first homeschool year, it's like once the scheduled days were over....we went CRAZY!

Bright Lights Academy Homeschool 2013-2014 year was a learning experience for all of us. Started with so many hugs, celebratory high fives and WOOHOOs and even tears of joy and excitement. Ended with "hurry up" or "pay attention" problems. We grew, we learned, we talked and decided it was still what we wanted and what was best for our children. Our curriculum has more to it this year and we have started working on a schedule. The schedule will help both children to understand what is going to be done each day and knowing that it's their personal time! When they complete their chores, their assignments and priorities, the rest of the time is theirs! We have started a new "I DID IT" behavior chart (from Pinterest) that helps them understand that they do get rewarded for good behavior and they enjoy counting to see how many stars they have earned. It was a great conversation for us yesterday and today has been worlds different for us! Another day, another discussion, another opportunity for love and correction!

Juggling Jen

Allow me to introduce myself, I am Jen! What on earth does my title mean? Well...exactly what it says, I am Juggling Jen. I am a wife, a mother, a home based business owner, a homeschooling mom, a leader, an encourager, a believer, a friend and more. I love to cook, spend a lot of time cleaning (although it never looks that way) and when I have quiet time, I love to read! While I may not be able to physically juggle balls or pins, I am learning to juggle life and embracing it.

The quotes are all true "time flies," "you will never be this loved again," and "don't blink, they'll be grown before you know it." I can be honest and say, there are times when it feels like time stands still. Days where I have unfortunately wished time away, but I am learning to embrace this juggling act of life! In doing so, I plan to start posting here to share my experience, my mother's heart, and my gratitude for the life God has given me. 

As June comes to a close I am reminded that it was just a year ago that I made my journey home from the corporate world. It hasn't always been easy and yes, there are days I'd go back in a heartbeat, but I would so miss these precious moments no matter how few or many they may be. It's been an honor to watch my children grow this past year, it's been a blessing to teach them and to see them learn from home, it's been a journey through ups and downs but we've done it together. These are children that I was never supposed to have, children that I waited years for and children that I promise to never give up on. Life is about learning to dance in the rain, to sing through your tears, to fight for what you believe in and to LOVE deeply. That is what I plan to do!