Growing up

Good Evening, 
With the kids enjoying their banana pudding, I'm taking a few minutes to reflect on the last couple of weeks. Yes, they have been chaotic to say the least. The Christmas tree is up, the grocery shopping is completed, and the ingredients for some serious holiday cooking is accounted for. But that isn't the change that has graced our home. This past week, my eldest, KR, began her first real job in the work force. At 17, she has blossomed into a young woman and it seems like it happened overnight. 

​One minute, she is catching lady bugs and playing dress up in my high heels, and the next minute, she was asking me to proofread her resume. What? You have references? Really. Can we just slow down a moment. What happened to my little girl who could quote Disney Princess movies? What about the little bit who was just learning to cook? Or how about the moment you learned to wash a load of laundry? Where has time gone? 

As she started her training, it was all too surreal for me. As I drove her to work, I couldn't help but watch as she walked into the building. I seen not a practically grown woman, but a little girl with pig tails and dresses with bows. She wasn't 17 at that moment - she was still a little girl - my little girl. As I drove away, I took a deep breath and began to think about how much she has grown into her own ways in the last year. 

She was hesitant about homeschooling from the beginning. After being in the mundane surroundings of public school for 10 years, she was not sure how homeschooling would benefit her. Of course she couldn't see how me not worrying about her near as much would ease my stress. Not hearing her cry her eyes out in the evenings over being bullied by other classmates because she didn't wear designer clothing, or because she lives on the east side of town. No. She wouldn't possibly understand. 

But because of the person she is, she embraced the change. She began looking at what all came with homeschooling. I think it's safe to say she enjoys pajama day everyday. Aside from that, she can work at her own pace. If she finds herself thoroughly impressed by a topic, she can spend much more time on the it and really research the issues rather than rushing off to her next class. She has learned time management skills that public schools simply do not offer. She has the ability to participate in classes she wouldn't otherwise be able to in public school. For example, after Spanish I and II in public school, she continued with Spanish III at home. For her senior year, she wanted to learn another language. Because she is homeschooled, she can. She is taking French and is doing excellent! She has learned responsibility - the assignments are still due and she knows they must be completed. And now, my baby is employed. 

Yes, she is growing up. And I suppose I am, too. It's nice knowing that I was given this blessing by God, whom I am truly grateful for. Her father and I are so very proud of her and I know she is going to do great and wonderful things with her many talents. 

Until next time, 
LaVonda