Today I am realizing

some of what we are missing as a homeschooling family. We have never been a part of anything larger than our family school-wise. I had never really felt that was something that was missing because we enjoyed the freedom of homeschooling and marching to the beat of our own drummer. This year we joined a homeschooling co-op and I am amazed at the difference a day can make. One day, each week, all of these kids "go" to school. Just the simple act of going to school is a big deal in our house. We lay out an outfit the night before and plan breakfast and pack a snack. We are only 2 wks in but both children are planning what they will take next year for classes and are making friends with whom they share a lot of commonalities. We are packing lunches for our very first field trip. A school field trip. Being an island is lonely, I hand't realized I was a schooling island before this year. I am glad to be a part of a village, a like minded village.

There's this boy....

I get the honor of schooling at my kitchen table. 5 days a week. rain or shine he shows up. Some days are better than others. Some days he struggles because being in 1st grade is hard. I relish in the fact that I am the one who gets to pour knowledge into him, it is rather selfish really. I love that I get to see the wheels turning as a concept is introduced and the eyebrows furrow ever so slightly as he is figuring it all out. Then as he beams with pride and shows of a newly acquired skill I am the one he looks to. I am the one he heralds as teacher. I was almost late to a dental appointment today because he was telling me all about magnets and magnetic poles and how only certain metals are attracted to a magnet. Telling me like it was the first time I'd ever heard it. Telling me like I hadn't spent the past half an hour reading the book and doing experiments with him. Telling me it first hand because the wheels had turned and the gears had caught and he had LEARNED it. He knew what he was talking about. During our history time we were talking about having a jealous heart. We talked about Cain and Abel and how their hearts were different and how God knows our hearts. My sweet Joshypot sat thoughtfully and said "I think I am more like Cain than Abel, I should ask God to fix that huh?" We had the best discussion about jealousy and being gracious. We talked in great detail and I was thoroughly impressed as he grasped the concept of right vs. wrong. How even the right actions with the wrong intention was displeasing to God. I was about to close the books and move on and he looked up at me and arched an eyebrow and said in a hushed tone, "So, how do you think he did it? gun? knife? big rock?" Oh that boychild of mine.

Define family...

who does it include? for how long? As a child I would have answered forever. Then my Daddy died and my concept of forever was shattered. For a while I would have answered it was what you what you were born into. Then I realized those are the people you are related to. Family, true family, was taught to me as a military spouse. I have family all across the country. Some I even found in other countries. I may only live near them or know them up close for a season but the love that our families share isn't contingent on the distance we live from one another. They love me and protect me, cherish me and encourage me. I do the same for them. It's not a favor to be traded or returned it's simply taking care of my family. I know the phenomenon isn't something that the military family has cornered but I do think it's something that exists more often within our ranks. When you have the broad wings that the pcs'ing adventure of military life gives you also learn to grow roots quickly. deep roots. The kind that don't notice the time that's passed since the last time you spoke on the phone. or the last time you hung out in person. Roots that are sustaining.