S.T.E.M.

The type of education my husband and I provide our kids will be an ongoing discussion until they are no longer in our care.  The past two assignments, we strongly considered homeschooling but decided on public.  It has been good.  I miss taking our daughter to cool places during the day and having time to do 'lessons' at home with her younger siblings, but she loves school and we see her growing and maturing academically as well as socially. Our consideration to homeschool is not driven by creating a sheltered life for our kids, but I understand why it is for some.  Relinquishing control over your child's education is scary because their education is not just academics, it is daily interactions of social skills, etiquette, morals, beliefs and so much more.  Recently, the middle finger was a topic of her daily-interaction education. She and her dad were playing a ridiculous snatching game where they pretended to steal each other's nose (yup, it is we...

I'm pretty excited to send out these three letters. I've been dabbling with writing articles for organizations.  It has been fun! It feels fantastic to know my thoughts/feelings/experiences are relatable.  Recently, I was paid for an article.  It wasn't a lot, but I was shocked.  With the money I bought gift cards and am sending them off to three amazing friends who have encouraged me in my writing.  Thank you, I love you! Here are some of the articles: 4 Ways to Emotionally Prepare for a PCS Move TLFs are Their Own Adventure Within the Adventure My Tears Release My Grief and Worry Won't You Be My Neighbor?  25 Signs You Are No Longer The Newbie For the Sake of the Family Learning when to push my child- and when to stop UPDATE: for more writings, visit  https://www.facebook.com/STEMwritings/ 

The continuous headlines about fearless females, superhero moms and mighty girls inspire me.  I consider myself a strong woman. I am proud of my abilities to overcome challenges with courage, skill and power.  However, in the past few months I've started to question my strength.  Most days my coping skills hold strong and I sustain my burdens high in the air. However, there are times when no amount of pep talk, healthy habit, glass of wine or psychological training offer the strength I need.  My muscles buckle and the weights crash down leaving me stunned and weak.    ' But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." ... I know God uses the weak.   I've read example after example in his word. I listen to the sermons and am motivated to be his hands and feet, but I would like Him to reveal his power through the abilities he has given me- the ones I'm 'proud of' not the ones I am lacking in. ...