The End of an Era...and the beginning of another?

I realized today that this week of my life is momentous - not sure if that's the word I'm looking for, but it will do. Steven makes fun of me for my nostalgia, but I couldn't help but shed a few tears today as I nursed Mary Jo for possibly the last time. Unless the Lord overrules medicine she is our last baby, and after a collective 64 months of nursing - and just over 8 years straight being nursing OR pregnant (sometimes both), part of me cant believe its over. It's been such a sweet time, an exhausting, rewarding, snuggly, tearful, but absolutely wonderful time. I count it as such a blessing that I could birth these 4 babies and spend countless hours nurturing them at my breast. But I'm also ready, in a way, to end that era - because hopefully, I started a new one this week.     

I started homeschooling Sadie and Eli on Monday, and it has been quite the adventure. I was prepared as I could be, but I still didn't know what to expect. My Mom was here the first two days and I tried to tell my Dad that I needed her as my assistant, but it didn't work. She went home Wednesday and I was on my own. Eli, surprisngly, did great. He seems to love his work, especially playing with the math manipulatives.

David thinks he's one of the students, which is great. He usually sits there and colors while I'm teaching, and for the most part has handled the transition well.

Part of me couldn't believe they were sitting there doing their work - I just had to take pictures!

Mary Jo has mastered making the biggest mess possible at my feet- my housekeeping has definitely taken a hit this week. The kids are participating more in the daily chores but simply being here more, all together, makes it messier than when we are gone most of the day. 

Thankfully we can run out for some recess when needed.

And most, well some, of the week they were fully clothed.

We had some pool time,

dress up time

a little rebellion here and there....but overall I am thankful to be able to try this new venture, as overwhelming as it is at times, it has already shown some sweet rewarding moments. Sadie was the most excited about homeschooling, maybe a little too much, because there was nowhere to go but to be disappointed. She told me Monday night that I was mean - I reminded her that one of her teachers that she had was once called mean, too, but ended up being a great teacher. She responded with "You're NOT great." I took the punch fairly well and realized that she will take some time to see me as her teacher, not just her Mom, even if I'm never "great" :) 

So as I close the pregnancy and nursing chapter of my life I am opening a new one - I thought nothing could be more exhausting or fulfilling than those years but I've been sleeping pretty hard at night - and I'm seeing some promise that these years will be ones I'll cherish just as much. As for Mary Jo, she seems to have changed her drink preference, anyways :)