A New Season
Well, so much for showing up imperfectly this past year year, ha. I should have known better, you guys. Strong intentions…pure intentions…and no follow through on that. Because. Well, seasons in life. Last year proved to be a great year for our family in a lot of ways, and also, a truly chaotic and hard year as we undertook an entire home renovation during our 11 months in GA, sold two homes the same weekend, bought a new one site unseen, and moved states once again. When life is fast paced and crazy, sitting down to share it requires the mind to stop spinning, and, well…I’m just not sure that ever happened for me last year!
But now, I am in a new season in life that looks completely different than anything i’ve experienced in over a decade. There’s quietness. Stillness. And a lot of overthinking, ha. Since Covid, we have been homeschooling our children in some capacity. After moving back to Virginia Beach a few months ago, the Lord put it on my heart to think about public school. We had a good experience with public school with my oldest, or at least during the brief time he attended (through half of second grade). But homeschooling took me completely by surprise. I had never ever ever thought that was something I would like, and I truly loved it. I cherished our moments together, learning together, and being strengthened together. Our family thrived in many ways, and honestly suffered in other ways. I would think the out of state moves on repeat have more to do with that than our education choices.
So in the last two weeks, I’ve gone from having four children always around for all the things all the time, to have no children around for multiple hours a day. It is so so crazy. Never have I been able to jump in the car and just go somewhere. Make a doctor’s appointment, or entertain a random coffee date with a friend. And while these things are exciting and are a restful of added margin in my life, i’m well aware that the quiet feels a little too quiet already. My hope and prayer is that the dedication we’ve had these past few years with raising our children to be strong in who they are in the image of God will allow them to remain this way outside of our home. I really hope that they are able to find some solid friends and begin to have roots in a place we hope to call home for a long time. And my prayer for myself is that I use my time at home intentionally so that I may be completely present with them when they are home. That this can become a year of growth for all of us as we are apart, and when we come back together. I don’t know that this is our long term plan…I’m just leaning in and trying to hear what He has to say, and honor Him in His direction.
As they have started school, I have once again started my photography business! I’ve been incredibly happy and blessed that some past clients and lots of new clients have been reaching out and booking for the Fall season. Senior portraits have started coming in as well, and I’m so excited about those as well. So if you are a Virginia Beach local, I would be honored to photograph your family! Family photography and storytelling truly has my heart. I only have about 5 dates left for full sessions this Fall already!
Have you found public school to be what you hoped it could be? If you are a homeschooling family, how is your year going? I have never felt like there is an absolute right or wrong way to educate your children. As long as we are loving them, raising them well, and making sure our influence is not lost on them, we all have different callings to the methods.
