August is Back-to-School

With vacation behind us, we were all back to work or back-to-school mode in early August.  What this meant for Iris was a big change- new school where the teachers speak in French and English.  A new charter school was what we (mommy and daddy) decided would be the elementary school for Iris.  This is the first year of the opening, as well as the first year that schools around the state offered a "first year Kindergarten" or "Kinder Academy" for children not yet 5 years old on September 1st.  Iris won't be five for another two months, so that meant she could attend another year of preschool or start in this pre-K grade.

First Day of school

The school has been "fantastique" so far.  We were more nervous than Iris was.  It meant longer days, five days a week (well, one day is minimum day), wearing (unofficial) school uniforms, meeting new class of 20 students, and hearing French from her teacher every day.  I'm excited for her to be learning another language, although people question, "Why French?"  My answer:  Pourquoi pas?  I'm also eager to learn with her, since I haven't tried to study French in nearly 30 years!  We had our first "back-to-school" night, so we could hear more about her school routine and year plan for study.  Only a couple of "bumps":  Iris was told that her mommy packs too much food for the day.  A classmate scratched her face for no apparent reason.  I just hope she's not scarred.


Work for Dad and Mom have been busy, too.  Within six weeks time, Daddy had to give 5+ presentations for work, including one in front of the CEO of his company.  He also was asked to polish off a technical article for a magazine that will be published in October.  For me (Mommy), I'm trying to adjust to the new world of "school mom" and consider where I can volunteer, while I continue to teach one class two mornings a week.  This course is new (an advanced reading class), so I've been challenged not only to think more deeply about reading skills myself, but also to put in enough time to lesson planning that makes sense for students.  In addition, I'm taking on a new leadership role at my church, which will involve more meetings as the congregation begins the process to search for a new associate pastor.

Yes, I had an icy pop!

Where is my mind?  It's on Iris' care, teaching, and nurturing while not rushing her to grow up.  It's on clearing more "stuff" out of the house and garage because Iris will need different "stuff".  I think of my parents, especially as my dad (A-gong) is needing more care for his symptoms from Parkinson's.  I think of my nieces and nephews, most of whom do not know Jesus as their Savior.  I also think of what activities do I need to give up because I really can't do it all.  I don't want to be a "supermom" or a "tiger-mom".  I want to be faithful to the woman that God intends for me to be.  Help me, Lord!






Here's a recent prayer that I discovered for praying boldly for children:
* I pray they grow up to be some of the most godly people in their sphere of influence.
* I pray that they would be caught when they make wrong choices.
* I pray that God would save them from the wrong friends and save them for the right friends.  And that goes for their future spouses as well.