Keira's first week of school

I am a little behind since last week was actually our first week...but then again...I am behind on this whole blog so what's new. haha.

Here is Keira's First Day of school picture....taken August 5, 2013.

My super excited Kindergartner.

The First two weeks of our curriculum our really just a review time of the Alphabet and numbers but it is completely focused on Creation. I love it.

Every night at dinner, Keira has been thanking God for His creation (without any prompting from us) and I just think that is so cool.

The first 7 days are based on the 7 days that God created the world. Here are the pictures that we made for her "Creation Book" before we actually put it together. She is already so proud of herself but when we got finished with day 7, she did say: "Yay...I'm done with Kindergarten"...oh wow child of mine...there is so much more.

She wanted Libby to be in the picture with her because we are so proud of how 3 year old sissy is happy to sit with us while we do school and color her own pictures. It is making it much easier than anticipated...though, after this baby is born, I do plan on doing some actual preschool work with her!

And...this has nothing to do with school, and I am not even sure if you can hear it or not, but I was proud of myself for catching a "moment" on video when I am not usually very good that that type of thing. Today Keira was drawing a picture (as she does many hours of every day) and while she was drawing she was singing "Count Your Blessings". It was just so sweet and innocent and she had no idea that I was taping her. It went on for a VERY long time and now I definitely have that song stuck in my head...but I guess it's ok since it is a good one!

Our Decision to Homeschool

Well...here we are...ready to begin Kindergarten. I cannot believe that Keira is 5 and ready to start school but she is and that time of year is quickly approaching. I just finished (like 5 minutes ago) planning the entire year of Kindergarten out. Each day of the school year has a folder and in it contains worksheets, craft materials and activity ideas. Knowing that baby boy could arrive any time in the next few weeks and knowing myself, I really felt the need to have the entire year planned to make it as easy as possible for me to accomplish teaching her each day.

5 years ago, when Keira was born, we already knew that God had called us to home educate our children. Actually, I would have told you when I was 13 that this is what I wanted, but what I have wanted and what God has wanted for me has not always lined up....but here we are.

I wanted to put our reasons out there on why we are embarking on this journey. I want to make it very clear where Tom and I stand so that our friends and family can fully understand. Our beliefs and convictions may not line up with yours but regardless, we feel that we are doing what WE...the McMillan family, are called to do.

First and foremost, we feel that the most important thing that we can teach our children is about Jesus Christ. We cannot choose for them that they will believe when they are old enough to choose for themselves but that is our biggest hope in life. I hope it is yours too. I am excited to have the opportunity to incorporate that into their education. In fact, the curriculum we are using spends the first two weeks on Creation. I love that.

Proverbs 22:6
 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Overall, I think that the best way to do this is to lead by example. We need to be in the Word of God daily where our children see and know that. Yes, I will have the opportunity to also teach my kids spiritual things throughout their school day, but every parent has this opportunity whether you are home schooling, private schooling or public schooling your children. We need to teach our children the truth so they do not depart from it. How you choose to do that is a decision for your family to make. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE understand that this is the most important thing that you can give to your children. Eternity in Heaven.

The second reason that Tom and I want to home school our kids is because we both struggled in school. Not because we couldn't' do it, but because we were timid. Maybe not so much socially but you would not have caught me raising my hand for anything EVER! What if I had the wrong answer? I usually had the right answer but my teachers never would have known that. I wasn't pushed forward or challenged in school. I was often bored and because of my lack of confidence in the early years, I really struggled through high school. I am sometimes not sure how I graduated at all since I rarely turned in any homework assignments.

However, I had parents who were leading by example spiritually at home. I woke up most days to them praying or reading their Bibles. They were involved in all kinds of ministries at church and their faith was exciting and real to them. That is what is important. Sometimes I think they prayed me though school.

I know that there are so many skeptics when it comes to home education. People worry about socialization, sports, music and all the extras. I don't worry about those things. The resources available to us now are incredible. Our kids are constantly socializing. Keira is now in competitive Irish dance, we are at church ALL THE TIME.

There are certainly days when I wonder how God will ensure that my kids learn what they need to. But the fact of the matter is...if I am doing what God has called ME to do, I will be successful..

I do not see eye to eye with all homeschooling families just as I don't see eye to eye with everyone in our church, family, or different friendships. We all bring different gifts and abilities to the table. God calls each one of us to different things in life.

What I do urge you do to, is take very seriously your calling to teach your kids about the Love of Christ. Nothing else matters.

When our kids are adults, no one will likely know what kind of school they went to, if they were on a schedule as a baby, when they got potty trained, whether they were formula or breast fed or any of those things that we are constantly comparing.

What needs to stand strong is their relationship with Christ.

So, this post is long and maybe doesn't make complete sense because I am incredibly pregnant, uncomfortable and tired, BUT I hope it is an encouragement to someone out there who feels like they are being "judged" by the other side of the table.

Let us encourage one another to teach our kids about the love that our God has for His children. If you are doing that, than stand strong in YOUR convictions on how to educate your kids. You will be blessed for your obedience.

Gestational Diabetes

Well...here we go...one problem that I did not include in my "Third Trimester" letter.

Gestational Diabetes. With a family History, my age and the fact that Janessa was almost 9 lbs., they were afraid that this was going to happen...and it did.

I am trying not to freak out because I know that this is a common issue that is completely treatable, but any time anything does not go exactly as it should in a pregnancy, it is a scary thing, right?

So, yesterday, I got the call from my OB/GYN that I needed to go and see the Diabetes Specialist. They got me in right away and I went yesterday afternoon. There, I learned how to test my own blood sugar which I need to do 4 times a day.

I also learned that they think I will need some form of oral medication during this pregnancy to control it because my fasting numbers are what is high (there is a lot more to that, but I will leave it at that).

Basically, it means that the Placenta for the baby is not doing what it should and is producing too much of a hormone that is blocking my body from producing the normal amounts of insulin needed.

This could cause the baby to grow larger than "normal". It could also mean that baby's blood sugar will drop after he is born and require some extra care and monitoring.

They gave me a strict low-carb diet to live on for the next few months (which isn't that hard since Tom and I have already switched to a lot of whole foods in our house)...for me it really means no morning "soda" (I don't really do coffee). It also means eating 3 meals a day (not always good at that) and 3 small snacks a day. Hopefully this will keep my blood sugars in control and there won't be further problems.

Tom is doing it with me. I mean...really, it is the healthy way to eat. I think the biggest difference is just paying attention to what and when I am putting food in my mouth and making sure that I count the carbs at each meal so I am not overwhelming my body.

Hopefully, this will do everything it is supposed to do and I will not have further issues with it.

I just find a little humorous that this was NOT one of the things I was even worried about.

oh well.

God's Timing

Over the years I have learned (usually the hard way) about how my timing and God's timing don't always line up....I have also always learned that His is better! God never ceases to amaze me with how perfect His timing really is.

On Tuesday, I went for my 28 week check up and also had to do my 1 hour glucose test. For those of you who might not know, it is a routine blood test done on pregnant women to test for Gestational Diabetes.

While I was sitting in the lab waiting for them to do my blood draw (they make you drink this disgusting drink and then draw blood exactly one hour later), a woman came in and sat next to me in the waiting room. Normally, I keep to myself in these situations and just play a game on my phone or read a magazine or something, but she started talking to me.

She asked if I was having my first. Of course I laughed and had to say, "No, this is my fourth". Well, she immediately opened up to me. She shared with me that was very early on in her pregnancy (6 weeks ish) and that she was having a lot of pain so they were doing tests to find out why. They had told her that she may be having an ectopic pregnancy (meaning the baby was growing in the Fallopian tube rather than the Uterus.

I tried to calm her down a little. With it being her first pregnancy, I just said stuff like, "Everyone has a different normal", "I know other that have had a lot of pain and even bleeding and everything was fine", "all of my pregnancies have been so different", and to try not to worry too much before they confirm anything...then you will know if you even have anything to worry about.

At that point I got called back and by the time I was done, she was gone.

I was so mad at myself. Why, oh why didn't I offer to pray for her....with her?

Why wasn't that the first thing that came to my mind. Why did I have to think of it after it was too late?!?!

Well...I did pray for my nameless friend. I prayed for her a LOT through the course of Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wednesday afternoon, my doctors office called to tell me that my glucose test came back too high and I would need to go back for a more accurate 3 hour test.

REALLY...come on! I had to do this with Libby too and everything was normal.

This was NOT one of the things that I worried about in my "Third Trimester Letter"!

Oh well...

So I scheduled my appointment for the following morning (I'd rather know sooner than later if I should be doing things differently).

and there I sat at 8:30 Thursday morning, to be in the lab for 3 hours! Had to drink the nasty drink again...this time on an empty stomach...so gross!

At 10:30....she walked in. The random girl I had been fervently praying for. She immediately came over to me (after checking in) and told me she needed more blood work and that the ultrasound had been fine. Baby was in fact, in the right place, with a heartbeat!

I almost cried for her and I was able to share with her that I had been praying for her ever since we had met on Tuesday.

She was so thankful and we had a great conversation.

I may never see her again. I may never know where her heart lies spiritually, but I know that God gave me that second chance to see her for a reason. I still don't have the results of my test (probably Monday) but I don't even care anymore. I will deal with whatever I have to deal with to keep this baby healthy and strong but I got to share God's love with someone.

so...why are we so scared at times to talk to people? To pray with people? To bring up the Lord in a situation where we don't know the other person's heart.

Does it even matter? Isn't it the most important thing we can do?

What on Earth are we so afriad of when we know that God has complete control over every situation?

I urge you to be bold for the Lord, Share His love. You may never know who God has reached through you!