Reality

So we are back into the grind of school.  Sounds like a lot of fun, getting to meet new teachers, learn new concepts and most of all spend almost half your day with friends.  This should make for some really happy kids...you would think??  Reality is-it stinks.  Yes school has it's good parts but for most of it school works at squishing the kids into a box and routine that is just plain exhausting for some.  How fun is it to get new notebooks-even cute ones, new pencils...special binders.,agenda's. The fun quickly ends when the kids are expected to write in those super cute notebooks and words are expected to be spelled correctly.  Agenda's are required to be filled out and signed-no doodles.  There are kids who excel at school and it's requirements-those who the routine and the work come naturally and easy....God did not give me those kids!!  This is my reality and theirs...how do you respond??  There are days when their response is tears...lots of tears, which leads to frustration and then usually ends up with yelling, why is homework still being done after dinner???  Then there are then days when I am reminded to breath and talk about God's gifts for each special child and the rewards of hard work (even though in my mind I am still quite bitter about most of it).  But even with these reminders we still have to sit and practice and struggle-it doesn't make it any easier...just less tears on those papers.  I wish lots of hugs and kisses would be the solution.
Reality is that spelling is so hard I just grab my phone most of the time.  Bible verses are long and language is confusing.  Math is timed...which makes me even tense up.  Multiple computers are being used for testing on books-yes you need to pass these comprehension tests for the book to count even if you did love it...lower than 80% it will not count.  No longer can the kids just read, they need to read 20 pages record them and then have it signed daily ( I think I should start charging the teachers for my signature) Even music can be a struggle-so hard when it is something I love, but even this is a talent you can or can not have.  Okay.. this is all good -practicing, hard work... for them and will prepare them for the reality of life.  But after a summer of doing what we like and what we want all these requirements are a bit much for us. The reality is what it is....it's how you respond that will make a difference.  SO... how do you respond to your reality.  I am reminded daily to pray for patience and God's helping, comforting, strong hand to deal with mine.

PS...Reality is that frontline doesn't work (if you have animals you know my plight) and Braydens prayer of thanks last night was that he gets to have PE today.

Just in case you felt out of practice here are Becca's spelling words for this week for you to work on-oh, there is a web site if you want additional practice (haha, this is something I hear a lot-who has extra time these days to do this-my kids will be outside being kids!)
Success
Sincere
Separate
Attractive
competition
consent
annual
essential
humble
portion
neglect
excuse
suitable
demonstrate
essential