Joining The Gypsy Mama and a beautiful community that is a true blessing. We write short posts on Fridays — just 5 minutes of writing from a word, a prompt. Today it is OPPORTUNITY.

I am here at the FPEA (Florida Parent Educators Association) Annual Homeschool Convention. The Exhibitor hall is enough to make a homeschooling mama’s head spin dizzy. It is a homeschool curriculum smorgasbord.

As I came upon the hotel, I was so grateful for the opportunity to stay at such a beautiful resort. I was so blessed to sit under Tim Elmore as he shared his wisdom and insight on  “Growing Leaders”. I am looking forward to hearing more speakers and thumbing through countless books over the next 2 days, hoping I do not miss a thing.

And then this is the thing — I could spend all of these countless hours getting caught up in searching and seeking for the very thing that will create the best opportunity for success for the children in our one-room-school-house, and still miss the beautiful opportunity that is before me — staring back looking, longing.

It was 9:30pm and after a very long day with four children by myself — I decided I would forget bedtime and take the baby and my son to the pool. Baby fell asleep as we meandered through the atrium, getting a bit lost, looking for the pool.

I found myself with a few moments with just my boy — moments at the pool, moments at the fire, moments to share endearing sentiments, “I loves you’s” and “You’re the most beautiful mom ever.” Moments to choose my words with care to inspire a dreamer.

Moments that remind me what this motherhood and homeschooling thing, is all about — relationship — and seizing opportunities, as if they are the very air I breath, to connect on a heart-level with my children.