Has it really been that long?

I last blogged in JANUARY.  It feels like a few weeks ago!  Blogging is something I rarely think of these days.  On Sunday Sean revived the thought and asked that I start blogging again, so we can have more blog books for the kids to peruse.  They love them.  And I am realizing that Nicole and Heidi will have plenty of pictures, stories and memories, but the younger kids are lacking. 

Today Cassidy stayed home from school.  Oh yeah, my kids are back in school as of three weeks ago.  It's been quite a big adjustment for all of us, but that is a whole 'nother blogpost.  For now, I want to tell you a cute Caz story.  She was sick, so she stayed with Grandma and Papa Curry while I went and spent the morning at the school, first helping in Sadie's class and then helping with the middle school grading.  I left early to take Nicole to a doctor's appointment, then picked up Cassidy at the Loveland Stake Center. She was at the Family History Center with Curry grandparents.  Anyway, we took Nicole back to school and on the drive back home we somehow got onto the topic of me eating her. You know, 'cause she's made of sweet, says I.  She promptly replied, "I'm made of Angela."  She made me laugh.  She's sharp.  She's been thinking about her adoption a bit more, because just yesterday she asked me, "When did you tell me I was adopted?"  I told her that she's always been told, from the time she was tiny.  She said, "Ya, I don't ever remember not knowing." 

She also got braces. 

Nicole has had the hardest adjustment back to school.  On the way back from her doctor appointment today we were driving in the van and Amanda called her on her cell phone.  She and Kaitlyn were at her house having a get together.  The tears came easily.  She wants to be with them.  Homeschool gives a lot of freedom, but sometimes a kid doesn't know how to use that freedom wisely.  This is one reason I thought it was time for a change.  School can be a hard taskmaster, but also a great avenue for consistent effort and goal setting.  I felt like I was banging my head against a wall sometimes, and I had to recognize my own shortcomings in trying to educate five children in five different grade levels.  I have felt a lot of peace (after the tears) as we've moved through these last few weeks.  Our kids are smart, and they are doing very well, and having fun at the same time.  It's mostly good, but if you think of it, pray for them.  It's a big change.  

And there she is growing so beautiful!  What a special young woman. 

Heidi is doing well.  She learns with ease in any form.  She chose to play on the WCA volley ball team and that helped with making friends and getting to know some kids before school started.  She wants to go back to homeschooling, but it seems like she appreciates the change more than she's letting on.  Heidi will be 12 in nine days!!!!!!  She's franticallly trying to finish her Faith in God.  Haha.  Not a word from her mother.  :)  What a good kid!  She's officially taller than Nicole and loves to rub it in. 

Xander man turns 8 in a few weeks.  His baptism is on October 11!  He is enjoying school and having no problem with his school work.  His concentration right now is reading.  That kid spends hours reading and looking at books.  One of my Uncles in Canada called him a walking encyclopedia.  I love that description of Xander, it's perfect.  Yep, see how awesome this kid is?

Sadie's in love with school and the perfect pupil.  I have been able to volunteer in her class twice so far and she's quick and quiet, two qualities any teacher would love.  She's quite the little athlete also and has some rockin' muscles.  She's tough to keep up with.  These kids are such a joy.  When I am exhausted and running around I don't always remember to stop and thank God for every one of my blessings, but blogging helps me do that. That sounds dumb, but when I stop and find a special picture and then put the words next to it I feel the gratitude more deeply.  I am easily distracted, but I love my family with all of my heart and soul. 

I have really struggled with feelings of failure as we've chosen to send our children back out of the home for school.  The first day was very hard for me, especially as I watched them run away.  Our home was too quiet and my heart felt very empty and sad, but each day as they have come home and shared what they are learning I am grateful for the help I have in teaching them. Look at how beautiful these kids are?  I think they're ready to face the world.  If they're not, I think after four years of keeping them home they will feel like they have a refuge that they can escape to on the hard days.  When I think of what we've learned together through this journey most of all I feel as though we strengthened our relationships.  It was a different kind of education, one that I am grateful we were able to experience.  Who knows, we might return to it again.  I am learning that truly the only constant in my life is change.  Just when I think I have it figured out, we're led to something new. 

Here's to continued adventures in Curry Curry Island!