hello. goodbye. firsts. and lasts.

A little update on our simple little life.

"Enjoy the little things in life. For one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things." 

That little quote by Mr. Author Unknown has been so true for me as a momma these past 5 years. We don't go on a ton of vacations or extravagant adventures. But we make lots of memories doing simple stuff, and lately this has meant a lot of "firsts and lasts" for us.

Sky's last day of school:

So did ya hear?!! We're going to be homeschooling for first grade! And by we, I mean I. ...I am going to be homeschooling.... and that's terrifying to me. But terrifying in a good way- like- I'm really super excited. And nervous, because this girl is a smart cookie, and that intimidates me a little. But mostly just excited. We're going to have fun, and learn lots of great things and discover who God is through things that we learn. Despite how much she truly loved the primary school, she is so thrilled to be coming home to learn. And that makes this huge life-altering decision such a joy for me.

This leads right into our next bigger piece of news. This month was our last month as Covenant Life Church. We have so many mixed feelings about this, because of all that Cov Life means to us as a family. Jonathan has known no other church but this one. This is the place where Jonathan and I met. The place we went to school, and grew up. The place where my parents got married, and where WE got married. But with us homeschooling this coming year and with our children getting older, it's become increasingly important that we attend a church more local. It would be extremely difficult for me to home school our kids if I don't have friends nearby to do life with. We also want so much to be a part of our church, the way that Jonathan and I were when we were growing up. And it's just not been possible with us living in Frederick. We're excited about our new church so close to home, but right now we only know a few people there. If you're the praying type, we'd appreciate prayer during this transition. I know that in time it'll feel like home, but right now we're the new people. :)



Gray's first big boy "bed":

So far, so good! We took the rail down off his crib about a month ago, and so far he hasn't gotten out. Like, not even once. He wakes up in the morning and shouts, "MOMMY, DADDY, I'M READY TO GET UP!" and waits for us to come in and get him! .....I know, right?! Such a good boy. Most of the time.

Gray's first super-short cut:

Isn't he handsome?! He's had long hair since he was a baby:

He def flipped out the morning he woke up and remembered his long hair was gone. He begged me to "put his hair back".  --> He's over it now.

My first time baking eggs:

We Farrs love us some eggs. ;) I just scrambled eggs in with my favorite omelet ingredients, and baked in a mini dish at 375 degrees for 15-20 mins max. Bam.


First day horseback riding at Gigi's house:

She did so well! She came home telling me all about her adventures at her horsemanship class at my mom's. :) I loved watching her face light up as she trotted over to me with pride.

During Sky's horsemanship week at my mom's camp, we had a minor catastrophe. Which I'm sure everyone and their mom has already read about all over Facebook: Gray had a MAJOR diaper accident while we were killing time at the library, which lead to:

THE VERY LAST TIME I'll ever forget to bring enough diaper wipes with me.


This has also been a huge month of reflection for me. It's my last month of my twenties, and I'll be turning thirty on the 17th. For a while I had been just dreading my birthday. I know I'm ridiculous but turning thirty felt scary at first. Now, I just feel ready. I've worked hard to get here and God's been so faithful to me. I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful children and a lovely roof over my head. Welcome, 30.

.school.

The topic of this blog post has been in the back of my mind since this past Fall. As I very quickly discovered, the topic of schooling can be a very touchy topic for a lot of moms! We have strong opinions on the best form of schooling, because we want to believe we're giving our children what is best for them. Mother knows best, right?! I’ve been encouraged, and I’ve been hurt as we sought out what the best option for our girlie was. As we enrolled Sky into a Frederick County Public school for kindergarten this past year, comments made to me by several other mamas had me personally questioning last minute if the decision Jonathan and I were about to make for our almost-five-year-old was really the best decision.

We followed where we felt the Lord was leading and placed her into the Primary School anyway. I am so very thankful we did. Oh, I’m so thankful. It’s been such a blessing to our family in more ways than one. She has amazed me with all that she’s been able to learn and retain this year! But not just that, it’s allowed me to reach out to our community and get involved with volunteering. As Sky’s parents, it has allowed Jonathan and I to form convictions about what we feel is and isn’t appropriate for her to be learning in school, and what we feel she really should be learning from mommy and daddy first. We’ve been able to witness and appreciate firsthand all that teachers do to educate our children out of love and genuine care. Not to mention, I’ve had such a blast with Grayson during the day and am so thankful for the one-on-one time I’ve had with him!

Now, we’re about to embark on a new adventure for first grade: Homeschooling! And while I’m excited/nervous/giddy and all into planning our many adventures to be had in first grade, I look back with gratefulness for this experience we’ve had at our local public school.

I just wanted to write this all out because, I felt so discouraged at first. I questioned if what God was calling us to was *really* from Him, or if it was just me not wanting to school Sky. I suddenly felt confused and sad and frustrated at a time when I really should have been released to enter into the joy of what was about to take place!

I feel like I’m not the only mama who’s felt discouraged by others at the outset with the decision to choose public school. Relationships can truly benefit from an adjustment in the way we as Christian mamas view each other and graciously respond to each other when talking about schooling! Instead of viewing public schooling or homeschooling or private schooling as THE biblical approach, maybe we should be viewing them as A biblical approach. God’s word tells us that He’s given us everything we need for life and godliness, but HOW he has us do this differs with each family. He’s given us freedom. He’s given us many resources. And I’m really saying this to myself also as I write this: let’s not place such spiritual value on our methods for schooling, and rejoice in the fact that there are so many methods God can use. 

We are so beyond excited about this coming year. I can already feel God stretching me and growing me in ways that I’ve wanted to grow in for a while. In areas like patience, gentleness, and extending grace to my kids. I’m excited about the time I’ll get to have with my Sweetie Girl during the day, and I’m excited that I get to be the one to teach her! I’m also looking forward to spending more time with my own homeschooling mama and my youngest sister. Sky is looking forward to doing vocab on the couch with me instead of sitting Indian Style on the floor (our girl is just not very flexible ;)), and says that she can’t wait to spend recess with her little brother and is really looking forward to meeting new friends through a co-op.

As we look back on this past year in awe of all that the Lord has done for Sky through the primary school, we are so thankful that we did what we thought was best for our girl at that time. We’re looking to this next year with the same, great anticipation that God can and will sustain us as we seek to glorify Him once again.