Hey there Stranger!

My beautiful Children, what a blessing!

Wow it's been a long time since I last wrote. I have too much to update to put it all in one post so be on the look out for more posts in the next day or two.

We survived our first year of middle school with straight A's and got a fabulous beginer bassoon player out of the experience. Megan my second in line, finished 5th grade with wonderful grades, great friends, and a smile. She was nervous about middle school starting this year and we had a rough go of it at first but she is doing very well and is coming into her own. Francesco made it through Kindergarten though I was not sure at first if we would make it. Francesco is just as smart as the girls but his interests lie elsewhere and it was challenging getting him to take an interest in reading and spelling. Once I called in Dad to start working with him in the evenings thigns went much better and he seems to respond well to Antoine working with him. I think they both enjoy the time together. He is still more interested in climbing and running and honestly I am still not sure traditional school as it exists here, is the best environment for him to thrive in but for the moment that is where we are (I dream of homeschooling them but at the present time, Antoine and I are not on the same page). This is something I continue to pray about.

Over the past 12 3/4 years I have changed and grown in a lot of ways as a parent. I started out as a very idealistic parent who tried to make things fair and help my kids in any way I could. Sometimes that included swooping in to save the day setteling disputes for them, bringing forgotten homework up to school, conferenceing with teachers for everything that upset them and me, bringing their lunches to school regularly because they didn't have time to make them(poor time management), and other little things like that. What I have come to realize now is that once in awhile it is okay but when I choose to bail them out of a situation they have gotten themselves into because of lack of planning or just being lazy or irresponsible, I rob them of an opportunity to learn a lesson from the natural consequences that arise.

It is a struggle to sit back and watch your kids fall short, go hungry for an afternoon, or get in trouble but it is a necessary lesson in life and part of the process of growing up and maturing. If not now, then later they will have to learn this lesson and the consequences stand to be much greater as they get older. I love my children with all of my heart and I want to see them succeed. However I don't want to raise a bunch of kids that feel entitled to everything and don't know how to take responsibility for their own actions. When the girls were young I meant well doing all the chores and everything for them but I watched as they grew and saw how they expected things and didn't want to take part in the work and responsibility that comes with being a part of a family.

Things are better now and we are still a work in progress but I believe that noticing the issue and changing my patterns and behavior will trickle down to them. I am very blessed that I have such great children, who know how to be respectful, and really don't give me problems, hother then the typical fights amoungst siblings and sassing us back at home once in awhile which comes with a big consequence.

I think as mothers we do our best and I am continually searching for thigns that work for our family. I learn and grow as a parent alongside my children and husband. I fall short all the time but I do my best and I have my families best interests at heart.