JCnaturals

This week we completed week 7 of our curriculum, Creation to the Greeks.   I’m not sure why, but it was a lighter week than the others have been.  Jaden and I watched a couple of Netflix documentaries on Egypt and the Pyramids to supplement which was lots of fun.  We did a couple of neat science experiments.  Jaden had been feeling bad about some of his artwork this week.   He has lots of trouble with fine motor skills such as handwriting and eating properly with utensils, so sometimes drawing can be quite hard for him.  We had some discussions about how one person will be gifted at art, another music and another sports, but that it’s important to learn and practice them all.  Do your best and it pleases the Lord whether it’s perfect or not.  Jaden understands this but he was still a bit frustrated, so yesterday I got out the origami book and some paper from last year’s learning about the country of Japan.  A couple of hours later Jaden had created about 10 different little origami figures and they were terrific!  I think it helped bring the point home that he is better at folding paper into cool shapes yet no so good at shading his drawings… and that’s okay.  I also pulled out some tangram puzzles, which he is terrific at figuring out, and let him play with those as well.  These activities gave him a confidence boost and helped to fill in some time during this lighter week of school.

And in other news, how about an update on Scott?  I am so proud of my man.  So proud.  He has been going running every morning along with weight training and karate… and he is looking good!  Also, after losing his job a few months ago, he has been faithfully applying for pastoral positions all over the world.   We are waiting on God’s best for our family.  It’s been a very challenging time for us, but we are plugging along.  Trusting God.  In the meantime, Scott started a side business doing computer work and then recently picked up a job at Subway in order to provide for our family.  It is very physically demanding work, pays very little and is not what he ever would have envisioned himself doing years after earning his Master’s degree.  But he is intent on staying here vs moving temporarily to a larger city in order to provide stability for our youngest child (see paragraph below).  And we both agree that even though it will be harder financially, a big priority is that I stay home so that I can keep schooling our oldest son.  What a good man I have!

Now on to Jonah.  This past week, he brought his school pictures home, decided to run for student council president and continues to share his faith in Jesus with his classmates.  He is not afraid to speak in front of groups (he regularly stands up in front of the entire church and speaks clearly into the microphone, he sang karaoke by himself in front of a crowd at the State Fair).  He loves music and Star Wars and karate.  He loves square dancing during PE class and we laugh as he tells us that he never has to pick a girl to dance with because she always picks him first.   Yes, my son, who 2 years ago was a very angry, depressed and out-of-control child has metamorphosed into an outgoing, hilariously funny and well-liked child.  He still has his struggles, much more so than your average child, but he is doing extremely well.  Jonah can always be counted on to bring a smile to my face!

I love my family.