The official countdown until summer vacation has begun. Two days and a wake up....only because Zo has to attend school for 2 hours and 45 minutes on Friday. Blake's last day is technically today, but there is a "goodbye" Open House tomorrow for him. There is so much to think about and reflect on as this school year draws to a close. I think back to how we started off this year. And how we have come so far since then.
Blake started off having a lot of trouble in school the first few months. Even though he was back in the same classroom, he was not adjusting well and was throwing fits every single day. Zoey was being home-schooled at the beginning of the year. By September, we were already experiencing some difficulties and communication breakdown. I couldn't figure out what exactly was happening, as I know my daughter is very capable of doing lots of things!
It was finally after our vacation to Disney World at the end of September, that I had time to sit down and evaluate our family dynamic, and I did not like what I saw. I envisioned the future, and I saw a son who resented me for spending more time with his sister, and a daughter who resented me for keeping her away from all the "fun" of school (even though being home schooled was her decision). We had a family meeting, discussed everything that had been going on, and discovered that Zoey was not happy being at home, and wanted to return to school.
The transition was an easy one for her, but hard on this mama. As a Christian parent, I worry every day about what my daughter is learning that might have her questioning God and the Bible. Children trust their teachers, and ultimately believe that what they are teaching is the end all be all. I have prayed so many times since her return to school, that she would keep God at the forefront of her heart, and apply every thing she hears at school to what she knows to be true in God's word. So far my prayers are being answered.
We were very blessed to end up with the teacher we had as well. It is only Mrs. D's second year being back teaching (she took a break to raise her babies), and we found out shortly after Zoey joined her class, that she is a Christian. That really helped to affirm the decision that we had made to let Zoey return to school.
Since returning to school in October, Zoey has excelled beyond my wildest dreams. It took the kind words of a friend just a few short weeks ago, for me to really understand why the classroom setting is better for Zoey....she is a girl with a competitive spirit (just like her mama!), and being in that environment with her peers has caused her performance to improve greatly. She is currently reading on a 4th and 5th grade level. Her comprehension of what she is reading is astounding. Her recollection of things is far beyond what I can recall. We still work on things at home, memory verses and heart issues. But I have to say that allowing Zoey to return to school was definitely the right decision for our family. And now, as the countdown to summer break draws to its end, I can see that God is truly answering prayers on my children's behalf, and putting teachers and leaders in their paths that truly care about them, and are helping them to grow as individuals.
Summer break, here we come!!
