As the sun is coming out (at 9am at my house. we live at the foot of a mountain...)more and more, I'm finding my hope and energy for life skyrocketing. I really love feeling like I am in my Father God's hand--right where He has placed me. I am really beginning to enjoy the relationships that are sprouting up in my life. I feel useful, needed, and fullfilled! Lots of feelings, eh?
Anyhow--big changes are headed to the Miller house. Joelle will be headed to Highschool at Merit next year. Merit is a small charter highschool in Springville. She has wanted to 'go to school' for awhile...and Eric and I think this is a great opportunity for her to learn educational independence. Sad to be losing my first student--but I am SO PROUD of her strong desire to grow up and be responsible for her education. I think she will really enjoy High school, but I will miss her!
Sabrina is ready for some changes, too. Her main desire was to bump up a grade. Since Bria was born a micropreemie at 2 lbs, and was essentially unable to see at all due to severe ambliopia until she was 5, we have always thought it best to keep her as one of the older kids in her class. This really began to cause social issues in the past year, and she was frustrated. She is so bright, and fully capable of the work. I also have learned a bit with Joelle that a move towards independence should be fostered rather than restricted, so Sabrina's well thought out desire to have more independence and bump up a grade was considered seriously. So she will begin ninth grade (rather than 8th) this fall using an online highschool called 'Open Highschool'. I am really thrilled about what I see from openhighschool--and think this will be a great fit for her next year. She will 'own' her education, but she gets to be at home (which she loves--the girl loves her sleep!) and I will be available to help....but I will no longer be picking curriculum or dictating what she does, when.
So in one week, I've become 'jobless'. lol. Eric and I are talking about what to do with my new 'bandwidth'. (I'll never have more time...but with the girls' education not MY focus, I'll have more mental energy to devote to...other thoughts!)
We haven't completely figured everything out--but we're tossing around some ideas.
We'll also be hosting two Chinese students at our house this summer--which should be a blast.
Sabrina will finish orthodontia in July--so that will be a huge relief from being required to drive 500 miles every 8 weeks. I'm glad we did it this way, but I'm even more glad to be DONE.
Happy Spring, everyone! Wish I had a picture to post...but that other New Year's resolution has not been dealt with yet!
