Room mom in the making......

We walked into a huge tungsten lit room with the sun peeking through the towering stained glass windows yesterday evening. The sanctuary was filled with children of all ages who acted as if they had gotten use to the effects of a non-scheduled and fun summer filled with Popsicles, swimming pools, and family trips. Either that or every child in the room must have had a Dr. Pepper to drink right before they entered the pew-filled room.

Last night we had "Meet the Teacher" night at Kaylyn's new school she will be starting on Monday. I literally had to ask Jesus for His peace to reign over me to keep myself from opening the flood gates. Cut me some slack people. I've been home with her every single day for 4 years. This is all new to us.

Jason and I have approached this upcoming week of school with much prayer and discussion- as of recently. As a matter of fact, it was a discussion that we hadn't had since the birth of our children. I encourage young parents right now to begin discussing and praying over this issue so that you won't be caught off guard like we were. The upcoming school years came out of nowhere like a 747 on speed.

I know the issue of schooling is not always a popular one in the church and lots of people have an opinion about the way things should and must be. But, Jason and I have never really formed an opinion to either side. And still to this day, if you ask us what our schooling may look like next year for our family, we would say,"We don't know." We have seen it done beautifully on both sides of the schooling issue.

While one family feels called to home school and another feels called to private school, they both need to be approached with much prayer seeking only the opinion of a Holy God who knows exactly what is best for your family and child. His opinion is the only one that matters. Decisions based on fear are never okay. The Lord has graciously shown me this recently.

Fears like,"I'm not smart enough to home school."

"I'm afraid that my child is going to join a gang and wear saggy pants if they go to public school." (Yeah right. Can you see KK sagging? She won't even wear pants.)

"I'm afraid our family will think we are weird and overprotective if we home school."

"I'm worried that if my child is in public or private school, they will become heathen children who hate me."

Believe me when I tell you that I've thought all of these thoughts and then some. And some all at the same time. But, Jason and I really had to get passed all of these fears. We most definitely have to protect our children. I'm not saying that we don't have an obligation there. But, the last thing we wanted for our children was to make a decision on such a major deal based on fear. That's most definitely not what the Lord's will is. And I'm a firm believer in that while there is no right or wrong thing universally here (as in, its not exactly spelled out in Scripture), if you ask the Lord, He will show you what is right for your family and child.

We will continue to ask. We will continue to seek. We will continue to hold things loosely in our hands ready to change direction if we are asked to. Sounds kind of flaky doesn't it? I like to call it flexible. Next year may look different. It may not. Only God knows.

So, as of this year, Kaylyn will be going to Pre-K in a Christian-based private school in our small little town. Its 3 1/2 hours a day.

We sat in the sanctuary filled with children and parents last night. The school director was going through and introducing the teachers by name. We had prior knowledge of who Kaylyn's teacher was going to be since there are only two Pre-K teachers in the school. When they announced her teacher, Kaylyn stood up on the pew and began to wave as if she had just met her new best friend. I, of course, was on the brink of becoming a heap liquid. When I had a face to put with the whole experience, it made it real. This was going to be the sweet woman that was going to spend 3.5 hours a day with my amazing little girl. So, of course, this momma was wreck. And I was trying to appear calm and poised like all the rest of the good parents. But, my innards were fighting with butterflies and Niagara Falls.

I have no doubt that Kaylyn will love school. She will love developing friendships and probably become the teacher's pet. I have a good notion that she will end up as the pet. I was the dreaded teacher's pet all through school. Not purposefully. I happen to be a big rule follower. I was the student the teacher chose while they left the room for a brief moment to sit up at the front of the class room with chalk in hand ready to write the letters of the name of the person who dared to disobey the teacher on my watch. Awful I know. But, that was me. The teachers loved me.

Last night, Kaylyn's sweet teacher had a HUGE jar of gum balls on her desk. One of the new students had a little sister who was about the age of two and was all over the place bouncing off the walls. This mischievous toddler sneaked**** over to the teacher's desk and was attempting to open the monstrous jar of gum balls.

Kaylyn quickly walked over to her not knowing that her daddy and I were watching her every move. She very sweetly said to the little girl. "No ma'am. You need to ask the teacher first."

Ha! So funny. That's my girl. The rule follower. Just like her rule-following mama.

We got to meet the teacher and show Kaylyn around her room, her cubby, and her seat. The teacher had mentioned that she noticed Kaylyn was going home at 11:30am. The sweet teacher asked me the most awesome-filled question.

"Would you like to be room mom?"

Instead of standing up on the desk and giving a speech similar to those who of people who win Grammy's and Oscar's, I calmly answered,"I'd LOVE to." On the other hand, my insides were doing the electric slide.

This rocked my world. One of the things that Jason and I have felt very strongly about was being involved in the school and serving there. We want to be an active presence on campus. So, of course, I was giving a major shout out to the Lord after receiving the news of me having the honor room mom. That was no coincidence. It was an answer to prayer.

I'm not exactly sure yet, but I think the duties of room mom consist of party coordinator, cupcake baker, field trip liaison, craft helper, among other tasks. I'm excited to fill my roll of room mom and getting to know the other parents and the students who share a classroom with KK. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for our family this year. And I have a peace about the path we are currently on. So, that's a good place to be.

Do you think they make bumper stickers for "Room Moms"?

After all, they have bumper stickers for "Soccer Moms" and "College Parents".

Instead of "My money and my child go to [fill in the blank]."

Mine would read "My money, my child, and my cupcakes go to [fill in the blank]."

****Did you know that 'snuck' isn't even a word per the dictionary of Webster? I think it must be one of those words invented by Texans like 'tumped'- a combination of both tipped and dumped.