A Fresh Start

   
     We folded up our school house last year on 23 November.  It was the final day of school forever for my older son! and No 2 and I were well and truly ready for the break.  We had blisteringly hot days here over December and January, which meant I spent a lot of time in the air conditioning.  This limited what chores were done but the reading opportunities were great .  I spent a very relaxing, fun filled week at the coast with my older daughter and her four cherubs coming back home with the intention of starting school immediately after Australia Day (26 January).

My older son (second left) his cousin and mate (centre) and friend
on Homeschool Graduation Night.

     Ah...the best laid plans! On the night of 25 January, a Sunday, I had a heart attack!  Needless too say this put a spanner in our well laid plans.  I spent five days in the CCU here in Rockhampton and then flew to Royal Brisbane hospital for an angiogram.  Alas, as previous angios have shown, there is nothing that can be done for my very blocked veins and arteries other than medications to relieve the symptoms. The good news being that the three by passes that were done ten years ago are clear and working well.  God is good.  Though somewhat disappointed I was not shattered as this was the same outcome as previous tests had shown.

Grandad and Mumma enjoy Saturday night tea,
usually my boys,  my older daughter and the fab four.

     That week my two eldest grandsons started Grade One!  Third little man began Prep and the twins started a couple of days a week at Kindy.  Somehow those years have just flown by. And so it is that I am back in the class room with just my youngest beginning Year 11. He's had a late start, today being the first back to normal routine, but we've begun as we intend to continue.  So it is with renewed energy and "vision"  that I launch into my twenty third year of Home Schooling.  ( Anyone who actually knows me or has read my blog before will remember that I have very little energy and not so great vision so I jest)

   Today, I am pondering the character traits which I need to work on.  Primarily my own,  love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. 

     As my son begins a unit on Peace and Conflict, problem solving and mediation are  topics which are coming up naturally. I am loving this season of life with grown up children, where discussions are fruitful for our spiritual growth. 

Back yard cricket.  I has to be extremely hot to stop my guys from
getting a game going.

     Ooops, it's such a long while since I have blogged that I am rather rusty with the finer points of placement etc but I will do my best to improve on that.

Anyone still reading out there?

Hello out there!  I'm going to try one of those "On this Day" Posts to see whether I am still able to write here and whether others out there still read blogs.  Please leave me a message if you read this.

'

'For today, Thursday, February 5, 2015

Outside my window... everything is lush and green around us.  We have had some extremely hot days followed by some extremely heavy rain.  

Hearing...The hum of the air conditioner.  Can't live without it. Also the blare of the TV.  I can live without that but it's a good relaxer.

Pondering... The goodness and faithfulness of God.  I am home after another heart episode, a trip to Brisbane.  Why has God so graciously spared me?  again and again.  What is my calling to serve the Lord in the weary world? 

Praying... Always for my children, mostly that they will love the  Lord and live their lives in his service. For my grandchildren, that they will hear and learn His truth in their secular school and also repent and be saved.
"For the promise is to you and to your children and all those who are afar off, as many as the Lord thy God shall call."

Thankful for:  the above mentioned preservation.  Also for the amazing family and friends that I have the privilege to live with. The outpouring of care and concern during my illness encourages me.  Knowing that when these peoples say they are praying, they ARE praying!  and seeing the faithful answers come about.

Wearing... Green denim pants, swirly heart/paramecium top. I am not exactly a fashion plate :-)

Creating... A short article on child hood memories for  the Centenary of my hometown which is being celebrated on  Anzac Day..  The one hundred year anniversary of the Gallipoli landing

Going...  To the afore mentioned celebrations, Lord Willing.  My social life has narrowed a lot of recent years, as my health has deteriorated. 

Looking forward to...  Saturday when the family come over for fun and dinner.

In the kitchen... Not much happening there.  Keeping things simple with grills and salads and hoping my energy and love for cooking returns.

In the learning rooms... For each of us, our education continues.  My older boy completed Year 12 and is job seeking but has also got into a TAFE course starting early March.  My younger son is beginning Year 11 ......slowly, as his teacher slash mum gets back to speed. My eldest daughter, while still a stay at home mum of fours, has also signed up for a Certificate in Aged Care and hopes to eventually work in that area. Two grandsons have started Year One and one Prep.  The twins have five days a fortnight kindy with only the youngest of the six grandchildren still not in school.  Oh, the early years have just flown!

Around the house... hmmmm.....long grass and two weeks of bachelor life. 

Noticing that... The moment the dishes are washed.... others appear!

A peek into my world...

Five of my six grandchildren.
Still the light of my life!