Rainbow Days and Pots of Gold

MISTY WATER COLOR MEMORIES
Rainbows have always been a favorite of mine (who could escape them growing up in the 80’s?). They are such a great help with learning order. It is amazing how much order there is in our universe… even in light! However, my lack of skill in managing to draw and color the rainbow above correctly should be overlooked. I somehow managed to place yellow before orange and thus have been the laughing stock of our homeschool since yesterday. The tender tweenish years are upon us: the kids are realizing that mom really does make mistakes and really doesn’t know everything. It makes for some interesting playful banter (and even the ocasional willful challenge now and then). I’m getting used to a new season in motherhood. My kids are both coming into their own personalities. They are as unique as the rainbow’s colors themselves.

“It seems essential, in relationships and all tasks, that we concentrate only on what is most significant and important.” ~ Søren Aaby Kierkegaard

ROY G. BIV (THE ORDER OF THE RAINBOW)
I promised that I would share with you my “Rainbow Days” schedule. This is our newest edition to the many things we have tried to keep on task. With a husband working evenings and getting weekdays off as his weekends; homeschooling has been a challenge. If not for homeschooling, however, our kids would not have seen much of Daddy for the past 18 months. We have the liberty to stay up and wait for him to get home. We have the freedom to sleep in and cuddle, have blueberry-lemon scones at nine, and to start school after lunch when Daddy leaves for work. Would I suggest it for every homeschooler? No. Am I thankful for the experience and the wisdom it has taught me? Yes. Will I be glad when Kev starts working a day job again and we can get back on a “normal” 9-5 again? Emphatic YES! So, with those things in mind, you have to take my schedule as I do… with a grain of salt.

In case you couldn’t read my tiny faux-cursive print up there, I’ve copied a text version of my ‘Rainbow Schedule’ here:

Sprittibee’s Rainbow Days Schedule

• 8am – Chores
• 9am – Prayer Journals, Prayer, Bible, Bible Drill, Memory Verse, Devotional
• 10am – 3 Days a week: Math/ 1 Day: Art/ 1 Day: Science Experiment
• 11am – 2 Days a week: Penmanship & Vocabulary/ 2 Days a week: Grammar & Draw-Write-Now!/ 1 Day: Spelling
• 12noon – Lunch, Afternoon chores
• 1pm – 2 Days a week: Latin & Typing/ 2 Days a week: Italian & Educational Computer Game/ 1 Day a week: Craft (related to unit)
• 2pm – KONOS activities (Unit Study)
• 3pm – 2 Days a week: Science or History Reader/ 2 Days a week: Geography & Journal/ 1 Day a week: Current Events & Maps
• 4pm – 1 Day a week: Pen pals & Correspondence/ 1 Day a week: Timeline Characters (related to unit)/ 1 Day a week: Report or Book Report (related to unit)/ 5 days a week: Reading (related to unit)
• 5pm – PE or Makeup Work or Evening Chores
• 6pm – Home Ec (cooking with mom) or Dinner Chores
• 7pm to 10pm – FREE TIME (includes free reading time or pc games)
• 11pm – Family Read Aloud & Prayers, 11:30 Bedtime

PRISM PERSPECTIVE
While I have hours on this chart, it is not often that everything is done exactly to the letter. Yesterday, for instance, we started school after lunch. That put our free time in the morning and our schooling ended near 9pm (not to mention, there were some subjects we couldn’t cover and will make up on a “weekend day” when Daddy is home). Flexibility is the name of the game in our life right now.

“When God puts a tear in your eye, it’s because he wants to put a rainbow in your heart.” ~ Unknown

SILVER LINING
Life in apartments (after ten years in three different houses) has been quite a humbling and challenging experience. We have learned to try and forget about the rest of our furniture that has been in storage for 18 months. We have learned to try and forget about the closets and extra bedrooms we used to have and the U shaped kitchen with enough counter space for a horse to lie down on. We suffer through make do with the blessings we are given today. We try and seize each opportunity to thrive in the moment. Sometimes we fail (miserably). OK – a lot of times we fail (and have a really bad attitude). However, we have found that even in the midst of setback, disappointment, failures, sadness, and sacrifice… we are so BLESSED.

It helps to keep it all in perspective.

2 Corinthians 4:17 ~ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

POTS OF GOLDToday is not just a rainbow day for our homeschool. It is a glimmer of hope – shining at the tail end of the past 18 months. My husband finally got word this morning from upper management that he was being considered as a candidate for a promotion. They have promised him this for over a year. Not only might he get a better job, but he might get a DAY job – and it might be in TEXAS. [I asked God for three things this morning… for Kev to get his management opportunity, for us to have a Rainbow Day and for rain to wash all that yellow pollen away. Two out of three so far is not bad! It is raining as I type.]

With the joy of future schedule improvements, pay raises, possibilities of having our move paid for, happy reunions with family and old friends… there is sorrow as well. Like all things in life; when change comes, it isn’t always easy. Arkansas has really grown on me after living here for 18 months. If we do have to move, I will miss it here. I will miss the places and the faces… the beauty of the seasons and scenery… and of course THE WEATHER. I love Texas, but the spring and summer up here is a welcome RELIEF from the heat! So as our family hangs on tight to the handle-bars, riding this new roller-coaster of emotion (wondering what will be over that next lift in the track) we would appreciate your prayers to help calm our hearts and help us transition well.

Romans 8:28 ~ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Right now, everything is pretty much up in the air (there’s no guarantee that a management job, a raise, or a transfer is coming or when); but I’m sure that God has it under control. We are eagerly awaiting His provision and praising Him for this happy news today (even if it is only a first step among many). One of these days I keep hoping I’ll wake up and see my pot of gold at the end of this rainbow – in many more ways than one. Until that time comes, I’m just going to keep trying to bloom where I’m planted. I’m going to keep being thankful that God keeps His promises – even when they are kept in His own time.

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