February 2012

Classical Conversations Week 16

2012-01-29T14:00:00.001-08:00

We are firmly into the Chemistry Grammar of Foundations level. And I'm going to have to look at those Timeline Motions videos I posted afterall. Jeremiah's Mom let me down last week(wink). She had as busy a week as I did(probably busier & I should have reviewed them anyway) and Jeremiah didn't know the motions. {big smile & hug for that little guy} Some days are just a barrel of challenge. My own little guy worked his way around the table a couple of times and gave me just the dose of personal challenge I needed. ('Mom, I don't really want to be here', number 2 whispered in my ear. I replied 'I'm so glad you're in my class. Now go sit down, please.') Again he aided Satan and walked around the table and said with only 5 year old tones in his voice ('Mom, I don't like CC,' and I replied, 'but other people do, including me. Please sit down, sweetie.')

Somedays you just gotta roll with it. Dance with the one who brought you do the dance and Not, I repeat, not look over the septic tank. The grass will always be greener, no matter what. I'm sure Jeremiah's Mom (who also tutor's an even younger group than I do, and very well I might add) had her share of hair-pulling moments down the hall.

When it comes to tutoring-- presenting & reviewing new classically presented grammar, it's all about the repetition. Not about the perfect behavior. Because no matter whether they are standing on their head, or constantly circling the table to personally aggrivate momma/tutor, they're hearing the material. And that's what matters. Hammering the peg of knowledge one more time, often against all odds. But providing that firm place to hang further information when the time is right. My rule of thumb, especially with little one's behavior is just this: unless it is truly disruptive to the learning environment, and to others specifically, then it's probably normal and ok. There's something that could be said for training for future years, but during these younger years, it's not what I'll focus on. Lots of years ahead for that.

*note: if you are a CC tutor of Abecedarians, I utilize a 'segway' method which is thematic. As we don't have ready made seasonal bulletin boards, I usually have somekind of picture or item that helps them with a behavior that will help them with 'quiet for listening' or walking to another location for science or art. First 6 weeks in fall, we were Memory Master's in the Making-participating in a classical conversations circus-- who happen to be lumbering elephants with long trunks. We didn't 'monkey around'. It didn't hurt that elephants are thought to have wonderful memorys. It was fun. 2nd 6 weeks, we were Fall Owls that were 'wise old owls'. It worked well as it was also the same sensation to say 'whooo' as it was to blow our tin whistles. We flapped & tucked our wings & walked quietly down the hall, seeing who could 'whooo' the quietest. Winter, 3rd 6 weeks-- we are snowflakes, all unique, made by God, just as each person/child is unique as He made them. We often tap as quietly on the table to see how quiet we can be as snowflakes, and then rest in a blanket of snow. Now, spring... maybe bunnies. Bunnies are very quiet. These help with an imaginative break after lots of grammar. Especially for me, and my lack of memorizing the handmotions... (shame on me.)

** this is our first year, and folks say, you pick your battles when you first start. Can't wait till next year!

Classical Conversations of Lake Norman Veritas Hand Motions

2012-01-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

Part 1 of Classical Conversations Timeline Motions from Lake Norman Tutor. We are currently on week 15 and will need to look for the Part 2 on Youtube.
Classical Conversation tutors are just crazy with great ideas for memorizing basic grammar.

Classical Conversations of Lake Norman Hand Motions Part 2

2012-01-20T07:01:00.000-08:00

These are the motions we use for Classical Conversations Timeline Cards Memory Work.

I finally bit the bullet and just started watching. I'm usually the slacker tutor who just wing's the motions. Our community doesn't 'require' the motions, but we all use the same one's (Lake Norman) so we don't get confused. My 6 year old Jeremiah in class usually leads our motions. :) He's a sweet heart.

'This is Spring'

2012-01-19T19:55:00.000-08:00

So as I arbitrarily start a classical CD of compiled classical music, I think I received at the hospital, (one of those exposure Cd's of music,) -- Jack pipes up and says 'This is Spring'. And I am overjoyed. For it is not spring but winter, but he has remembered even the composers name, 'Vivaldi, Antonio Vivaldi,' he says.
Moments that make a momma's heart sing.

Prayerfully. Thankfully. Joy.

2012-01-16T04:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I heard a radio announcer on a christian station talk about an intimate relationship with God. Jack was listening too. I don't usually talk about having an intimate relationship with God. I do try to have an intimate relationship with God. But that's just not a phrase I use. Everybody's jargon is different. But it makes me think of the many Thanksgiving holiday meals I've watched on tv through the years, where everyone goes around the table and gives thanks for what they are grateful but to know one in particular. (One movie 'Eat, Love, Pray' comes to mind vividly) Perhaps to a spouse, but not to the Giver of all things. (We have done this, it isn't always an ambiguous effort. But we stopped with accompanying candles after my nephew, Noah burnt his hand.)

So my thanks today... for gifts & blessings from God. I'll try to make the connection with God as I go through my day, as that is the point I believe. Not just to notice the 'goods', but to notice He who is Perfect & Good.

Health

Food

Warmth from cold temperatures.

Luxuries - cars that run, clothes we like, opportunities above our immediate needs.

Over-the-top opportunity & convenience. Sometimes the cards all line up.

Books, books, books. To think of a day when books were not readily available.

Gumption. Inner strength. That 'little voice', quiet voice, followed by gumption.

Recipes that actually fly.

Personal strength to make your kids eat it. Because you're trying to keep a budget.

January. Month of new things. That matter.

I post with others over at One Thousand Gifts with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

I am blessed knowing all over the world many are determined to seek and acknowledge God's gifts. The Joy challenge is next. Yes. Joy.

{this moment}

2012-01-13T13:28:00.000-08:00

Joining with SouleMama and others.

{this moment}

Norman Rockwell

2012-01-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

Our 2nd artist for study in Fine Arts at our Monday classes of Classical Conversations will be Norman Rockwell. He's a true favorite of mine, as I'm sure he is to millions. We had a coffee table book full of his precious artistic endeavors. I looked through it a million times.

One of my favorites is a part of the series '4 Freedoms'. I can see the deliberation in this man's simple words. Thanks be to God for our freedom of speech. As I'm tutoring a class of 5 year olds, I will probably have them pose with limited costumes to get the idea of how Rockwell often worked, with live subjects, embellishing as they went. He was a master of capturing the face. Then we are to 'create our own' Rockwell style piece of work. Should be interesting.

The Real January

2012-01-11T05:53:00.001-08:00

~~I changed my blog format and its a little out of wack. But that would be what the first 2 weeks of January have been like for us anyway. Do you Jenga? This is Henry's new game. And he's all over it. in fact he's upside down for it.

The weather doesn't help. We've been to the nearby shoals lately and enjoyed the new camoflage in our closets. You can't really see my stick-child in the middle of the picture can you? He's there. They always ask 'can we get wet?' Why, of course you can. What would be the point of coming here. Of course they were frost bitten (at 60*) and had to have hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows when we got home. But that was the point. We needed out of the house & we needed winter. Fire in the hearth winter. And our weather just hasn't given us any.

I made cookies last night while the boys painted miniature electric football teams & soldiers. We call Henry''s 'the blue-men'. Eric painted Georgia men, but came home with U of Florida paints. I told him I didn't think LSU did so poorly the other night that we needed to change teams. He said he just needed an opponent. Not to worry.

I'm a 'johnny come lately' fan of LSU. but you can't not be while living in Baton Rouge. We we're there for 4 years within walking distance of the campus, and I was 'team-less'. A blank slate if you will. Eric was unchanged. But loves it like he loves other SEC teams. He's a 'Big 10' man. I was a woman without sports religion. Remember, I went to school in Kentucky. Land of Basketball. Sorry UK, you don't bring it, in football.

Anyway, 'real January' is here. We start Teaching Textbooks Math today. And continue with all of our other curriculum. We were sick on Monday, so we missed our first CC class, and start up of the new 6 weeks. Our next fine arts 'Artist' is Norman Rockwell. I'm so excited.

December 2011

2011-12-30T05:47:00.000-08:00

We painted.

We praised.

We toured. (The Biltmore.)

We imagined.

We baked.

{this moment} happening every moment.
January 2012 for redeeming {the moment} with or without a blog post. The minutes they fly by. They are gone in a blink. Being present is one of the greatest gifts I hope to give my family this year.
Happy New Year~ Love, Joy & Peace to you and yours.

House Renovation & Care

2011-12-29T05:19:00.000-08:00

The home we bought and now live in had been empty off and on for about 5 years. It had been a family home which turned into a rental. Eventually it became a foreclosure. A house that hasn't been lived in comes with less than joyful delayed surprises. However, this house after 6 months seems to be in pretty good shape. The obvious issues were resolved within a few weeks. We refinished the floors, removing old carpeting, and changed all the door hardware. Many of the locks on the windows were busted, which we have slowly changed, as cold air was coming in at season change.

We also have some issues with air conditioning equipment access. Eric has a vast HVAC wealth of knowledge, along with his other areas of mechanical engineering. So he knows exactly what needs to be done. We had a drain in the attic which terminated into the eves of the house. Inside the house. This was an all-nighter in the middle of the summer. But now it's fixed. Also the access to the attic, where the monthly filter change is located, had no access steps or stairs. Eric installed a telescopic ladder for access.

Few cosmetic changes have been done, although the hardwoods and the door hardware were incidental cosmetic upgrades. The floors were a mess. The door hardware was mismatched and completely beaten up. Painting has been a minimum, but now it's becoming a necessity.

Enter Pinterest.

Like everybody else, I've been enjoying Pinterest the vortext of creativity & magazine page enjoyment. But I've been using for purpose as well. Yesterday when it came down to deciding exterior paint colors, I searched it and came up with this. The colors aren't up-close, but I could see how the darker color & the trim would work together. Our house is so pale and washed out, and we both want bold colors. The color is a side benefit of the protection it offers from the elements. (All this discussion reminds me of John Grisham's book 'A Painted House'.) So far I've chose 7545 Pier by Sherwin William. I am fortunate that SW has a store closeby, but I've always preferred them for paint.

I've also finally selected a paint color for our anemic bedroom. Silvermist one of SW's new colors in the architectural series, is a nice diversion. More on that later.

Off to paint...

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T22:42:00.001-08:00

Snug in their beds, cookies & milk waiting, let the morning come. Merry Christmas!

December Details #40

2011-12-18T18:41:00.000-08:00

Simple plans, books, recipes from magazines. And everyone's new best friend-- Pinterest.

Here it is.

School. CC is over till January, but we're still Reading, Writing & practicing our Mathematics.

Reading. We have a wonderful version of The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Robert Frost's Poetry are rich with winter illusions.

Right after Thanksgiving - It Was a Dark & Stormy Night by Janet & Allan Ahlberg.

and The Snail House also by Allan Ahlberg.

FIAR presented to us The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills.

The Runaway Dinner is truly comical along with The Pencil.

At night, we've been reading a couple of passages from The Book of Virtues by William Bennett.

These need to be selected with some care, but most are perfectly appropriate for my boys. Last night we read a story about a man who saved a woman from a the plane crash into the Potomac in 1982. Courage demonstrated. Tonight we read about Abraham Lincoln. Honesty personified.

We also read from BOV, the story of Esther, Queen of Persia, ancestor of Jesus. Also our reading from the Jesse Tree, December 18. (Henry knows what a scepter is now.)

Our Reading from Our Spiritual Heritage brought us to the story about grumbling & complaining. The children of Israel not liking what they had, and wishing they could go back to Egypt.

The crossover is in reading comes in two books, and leads to my personal reading.

Carry On, Mr. Bodwitch by Jean Lee Latham has been recommended academically as well as bearing the Newberry Award. We've made it through the first 3 chapters and found it interesting

My Reading.

Echo in Celebration, by Leigh Bortins. She recommends 'Bodwitch' for purposes of seeing a classical education. Thank you Marianne ( my director at our Classical Conversations community) for your gracious gift mid-year.

Started a new Alexander McCall Smith series - 44 Scotland Street. I loved his 'Ladies Detective Agency' series. It is excellent.

'In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving' by Leigh Anne & Sean Tuohy. Exellent. Inspiring.

'Gluten Free Girl' Shauna James Ahern. Extremely interesting and thought provoking. She has a blog. http://glutenfreegirl.com/

Listening. Handel. Before the Christmas season, we started with Bach because we are currently enjoying an academic program(Master's) focused on the Baroque period. We then moved into Handel, 'The Messiah'. But started with Handel Cantatas. Our cd is from the library, the artists are Magdalena Kozena & Marc Minkowski. Beautiful.

Baking. Country Living December 2010 Tea Cookie Dough & Jam Thumbprint cookies. I used Cherry Jam instead of Strawberry Jam.

Mrs. Field's Cookie Book. Kelley my sister-in-law gave me this at one of the shower's I was given. She was so creative, and gave me trays and all. But this is my go-to chocolate chip recipe. I'm finally going to venture past the one page and make the Refridgerator Thumbprint Fudgy Cookies. Because I've been invited to a cookie exchange & I'm all out of butter! I've got 3 dozen made of the Thumbprints, but I need 3 more dozen.

I made my Appetizer tho. Just a mix of the usual suspects to make shrimp dip. Cream cheeze, sour cream, mayonaise, grated cheddar cheeze. Garlic salt, diced red onion, stalk of celery diced and shrimp in small pieces. The shrimp is medium & I cut it down. Not small canned. Serving with crackers.

Growing. Amarylis. Red. One saved from Baton Rouge, and 2 purchased at Publix. So not really growing, but doing alot of raking/burning leaves in preparation for soil for the backyard garden.

Loving. My life. Peace abounds. Something to do, people to love, hope.

**Picture courtesy of Pinterest. When I find the actual source I'll credit. But this is the picture of inspiration Eric & I are considering for our livingroom/schoolroom. love the order. *sigh*

343- 350 I stopped counting & posting in August/last 1000 gifts post #39, but our school has been much more intense this year. Blogging has been put on the back burner. But as Christmas has come, I'm seeing the fruits of our labors and the gifts of God. Following our plan, seeking His. So I will assign these numbers to above. Looking forward to a week of counting God's blessings with kids as our assignment is to turn our grumbling into thanks, learning from the Israelites in the Wilderness. Lesson's abound in God's Word. Counting with others at http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/12/3-gifts-you-really-need-to-open-right-now-love-comes-down-video/ . I think I'll print Ann's list for the boys. We saw blue birds in our bird house. They'll love the eggs & birds for places to write gifts. 351.

December. Joy.

2011-12-09T18:41:00.000-08:00

I'm missing my boys about now. They are away, while we take a belated anniversary get-away. We are going to the Biltmore in Ashville, NC while they boys enjoy some 'cousin time.' I am still missing them. Homeschool life is a very intense exsistence. When they are not here, there is silence. But it's not a peaceful silence, it's a mysterious silence. It's almost like the drywall relaxes. As tho it's fear of destruction has subsided momentarily. But it will tense up soon enough. The steps will grab hold of the pounding and bounce back a cheery exuberant symphony of boy's life.

Meanwhile.... we catch up on conversations we can't savor without the ever-present listening ears. I think I actually concentrated today. For more than 5 minutes. Consecutively.

Thanks be to Ann at Holy Experience for her years of sharing the Jesse Tree. I have finally found the book and the ornaments in the same month. I usually find the book about ... June.

Of course this is our first year in this house. Joy. December. Emmanuel. Lord be with us.

Thanksgiving is Now

2011-11-15T08:49:00.000-08:00

I notice on Facebook that everyone is posting thanks everyday. I'm so encouraged to see it, but my technology is either too much or too little for me to keep up. My laptop with keyboard is gone, & I'm using an 7 year old laptop I bought for Eric to take to Louisiana. That limps and gasps and needs a walker.. wheelchair. And then we have the smartphone. Too much capability with limited keyboard for miss 'fat-finger'. I am not a great texter, I love a full keyboard with a number pad, which even my laptop doesn't have. So I'm caught in the middle.

But what I'm really, really concerned about is how to teach a child math (Singapore) while they limp on some of their math facts. Yes, we do need to know those. I have been using xtramath.org a great on-line, free method of review/teaching math facts. Sends me updates on what's been achieved, and number of days used. My public school friend's mom sent it to me, and I have to say, big thanks. It's helped be that 'other method' to review besides flashcards.

We continue happily using All About Spelling for phonics & reading. Today we used our Explode the Code words together with the AAS Tiles. Then recopied them again to reinforce the endings in our current chapter.

We start our day with Handwriting without Tears (optimistically said). I really like this series. Although leftys often just struggle with handwriting no matter what the promises. It's like the whole world is backwards.

But can't say enough about Classical Conversations. The components are great. It was just what our family needed. I love the memorization and am now finally incorporating a memory box from Charlotte Mason. This is an easy system. Just print it out. Get started. Even if you don't homeschool, it's for learning your verses. Just simple repetition. Get in the habit now while your children are young if you haven't started any formal education. They become accustomed to whatever you do. More on that at SimplyCharlotteMason.

But one of the biggest changes has been our kitchen. I finally removed the remainder of the wallpaper in the kitchen and painted a warm color. The rest of the walls will have to wait. The ceilings are too high and our painting crew dollars are alotted elsewhere. So for now, my one inspiration drape fabric panel hangs along the newly painted wall to bring me through the holidays. Artisan Tan from Sherwin Williams brought me some warm kitchen joy. (see my before & after) Which is a part of the homeschooling aspect. No matter what disaray, the home has to be a place you actually 'want to be'. And more than once I've heard each member of our household say how much they love their new home. I'm grateful. Heart full. Too full for facebook. The post would be a record.

*One post script about the 'How' of all the homeschooling-Charlotte Mason's ideas are so well expressed at Simply Charlotte Mason, and this post about the How of the 3 big questions is a good one.

Growing up Could be the Answer

2011-10-04T03:54:00.000-07:00

In our new home, my husband & I found ourselves stargazing early this morning. I'd walked with him around the neighborhood, scaring deer on their early morning walk, and then we drank coffee and talked, as usual, about the kids. We, like most parents, come to these conversations with our own set of biases, predispositions, baggage even, and try to put some sense to that which baffles us. We pray to make 'the best' decisions regarding our children, pray for them to thrive.

I read this article some days ago, presented by the Classical Conversations website, and then found it again on Heidi's blog at Mt. Hope Chronicles. I think the idea of continued adolescence ie; not growing up, is the issue that fights the classical plan. Not one and the same but even God's plans. If I am to disciple my children, lead them to a growing up, passion & embracing God's design for them,,, should I not 'grow up' and move on beyond my adolescent ways?

Over at Simply Charlotte Mason, there has been a 3 part series on The Gentle Art of Education, questioning the idea of 'gentle' (is it?) and also types of educational technique. It just continued the need to 'be the change you want to see'(that's an Oprah quote actually). If you want to disciple children to not embrace adolescent ways, then don't be adolescent in behavior. I won't list mine. I'm not ready for that type of confession, but I know what they are. And eek.. if I'm not working to change them, my kids will know, because they see everything...

I asked a lady friend the other day how they came to homeschool. She said after having an amazing experience in the public schools, they realized they were not the primary influence in their children's lives. Sometimes I long for another more significant influence for my children's lives so I can get it together, be better, or at least not feel so guilty when I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing. (There's some honesty for you...) But this is not the case. Whether I did send them somewhere, they are involved with other adults or kids for that matter, I'm still the primary influence. That role doesn't go away. It's just that way. So I can continue to 'waller' or grow up.

Classical Music & the Classical Child

2011-09-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

As I listen to Pandora.com, (a Maroon 5 station I created on my site), I'm also creating a Music Timeline for over the piano in our schoolroom. Yes, I said schoolroom for after I saw Mt.HOpes big 'reveal', I just had to do something about the abyss. Moving does nothing for the beauty of a schoolroom. So, I whipped out my handy 'The Story of the Orchestra', by Robert Levine, and started xeroxing, on my color copier that needs new cartridges. The little joys of homeschooling...

But keep it simple is the motto. In more than one way. Use what you have(if it's usable) and use the familiar. Jack & I have read through and worked through the CD of this book, and the pictures are precious. So there you go. Yes, copyright laws were broken. There will be no mass production or liscencing of the copied items, so I think I'm safe. Anyway, Back to keeping it simple. There are 2 biggies, when it comes to periods of 'Classical Music'. Baroque and Classical. Those are the road pavers for Western Music. How simple is that? When you're trying to apply this idea of understanding the classics, all music on a public radio station that sounds like Mozart (because there aren't words) isn't necessarily Mozart. If you help your child differentiate between anything in the 'not-modern' music world, help them with this. There is a whole different sound, as different as Maroon 5 & James Taylor. or for that matter Taylor Swift.

So, I copy, I paste, I post on the wall for the kid. He really rocks the music from Mozart to Bill Monroe. Not to mention a little Maroon 5. Or Third Day. But the boy knows Mozart & Bach had way different skills. Likewise, Henry enjoys a good tune. There is hope!

Love, love, love music.

Buying Beef in Bulk

2011-09-08T03:26:00.000-07:00

Don't laugh. As I considered purchasing a 1/4 of a steer yesterday from Lazy B Farm I figured it was time to get serious about our refridgerator issues. When we purchased our house June 2011 it worked. Just fine. We then had the floors re-done, and while it rested on the front porch, it decided to give up the ghost. It now gives a less than noble effort at cooling the refrigeration side, while completely neglecting the freezing option. We purchase ice when we really need it, but it's really beginning to get old. Summer in Georgia without ice is less than pleasant. But it's time to get serious about beef, among other things, that I'd like to stock up on--buy in bulk. And quit making those pesky trips for 'just a few things', to our oh-so-convenient Publix. I acutally don't overspend because of the proximity/frequency, but because of the 'kid/distraction' factor.

So I must decide on a model, and just get behind it. I have toyed with the icemaker on the front, but really I'd really rather have an ice-maker separate. They are expensive, but I think in the long run, it will be worth it. I'd rather keep everyone out of the freezer. And keep that stuff COLD. But then to french door or single door. Eric & I both are not crazy about the drawer style freezer. We like old-school. But part of me really likes the idea. We both like stainless steel, and don't mind if it doesn't match everything for a while. Everything else is white, and really it doesn't make that much difference. Which leads me directly back to that everpresent budget. Cha-ching.

I read a great post from Clover Lane about how she budgets household expenditures. Actually how she keeps track of spending. I liked her method. I save receipts, but don't really have a good ledger system. Her's is simple and gets the job done. I particularly like the page on the left hand side that shows what's coming up that will create expenditures. Events like birthdays. August is one of those double whammy months for us. Likewise with the new house, there are some repair/update things that you just have to get done. I'm seeing a major chunk going towards a new fridge, but also shopping places like craigslist.com necessitates being on top of one's budget, and really knowing if it's a good idea right now. Craigslist doesn't have lay-away.

We are currently working on getting our design for the yard, and thus the garden in the works, for our new yard. It is less than we thought we'd wind up with, but I'm very thankful for the size and location of our home/yard. I love it, I'm so thankful. Grateful. I've never given up on the homesteading concepts. No matter where we wound up living. There's too much good thought to throw the baby out with the bathwater. So much so that I'm planning on attending the Ladies Homestead Retreat (with Lazy B Farm) in October. There's some smart ladies there, with lots of wisdom to share. I can't wait to see what comes of this weekend on my horizon. Should be quite a memorable event.

Photo is of kitchen during floor renovation. I've since taken down the wallpaper, and have painted, put up new light fixture, but there's still more paper and more painting. After pictures are coming!

Five in A Row

2011-09-06T20:53:00.000-07:00

I've talked about Five in A Row before. I have found each book to be so pleasing, and the lessons so well arranged, so natural in the progression. Sometimes we cover the concept completely. Sometimes, we just enjoy the book, and know we'll get back to it. Henry has become a lover of reading. Jack always has been, but Henry's been a slow one to enjoy the sitting still. But he does. We've enjoyed one book so much, one not of the FIAR (five in a row) list, but a sweet thought provoking book for a little guy of 5. The Relatives Came, by Cynthia Rylant, and Lottie's New Beach Towel by Petra Mathers. Both of these books were gifts, precious to us, and wonderful messages, pleasant reading, simple.

Jack is back to reading Magic Tree House Books. This time, reading on his own. He has such an adventuresome mind. I"m so thankful for his excitement, the look on his face while he pictures the story.

My favorite curriculum is evolving. My list to the side reflect current material we use, and resources in which we participate. Outside our academic work at home, Classical Conversations is a part of our week. I am tutoring Henry's class. Jack is thriving in the memory work, and enjoying the company of others during this time. I like the accountability of knowing the material each week.

We are also continuing with Tae Kwon Do, Piano, & now Soccer & Football. There is also a homeschool p.e. class offered in our county, and I'm taking full advantage of that.

August flew by, I'm sure September will too. First cool weather drifted in today. Perfect for Jack's first game & first win.

Additional resources for FIAR can be found at Homeschool Share free resources for many different curriculums & ideas.

I miss Millie & a Kitten Question

2011-08-25T20:49:00.000-07:00

No one tells you how you'll miss your dog, or how much you'll appreciate that silent conspirator in the room. Man's best friend who never 'talks back.' But today, as I looked at cats at the Humane Society at our local Pet-co, I couldn't help but compare, wish, remember. It was another time altogether in our lives this sweet girl came about. But there she was. And Larry the kitten, one of 3 stooges in a cage, well... I'm just not sure. I'm a little jaded these days. But perhaps Henry will get his wish. He loves, loves, loves cats/kittens who will let him pick them up. He loves all animals.

We've crossed 2 official birthdates, Jack is now 8 & Henry is now 5. We've finally started soccer... Henry would awake in the middle of the night, perhaps to go to the bathroom, and say 'Do I play soccer tomorrow?'. Really??? Have mercy, child. He was ready for life to begin at 4. One of those not-so-low-key kids. Love him, love him, love him. Both of course.

Well, do I get the kitty named Larry or not? He's only on hold till noon tomorrow. Time will tell.

Miss you Millie. My sweet companion.

New House, Summer's End, & School

2011-08-04T14:23:00.000-07:00

So much to say, but my time is limited per the library video games novelty, will eventually wear out, & I'll have to haul my boys out, lest we become permanently evicted from our new library. We currently have no internet at our house and because of a glitch in our new service, we won't have any until August 23. I have a new phone that lets me access internet, but I broke my glasses, and now that I'm elderly, I can't read the screens, no matter how hard I squint or lean back.

Just when you need the convenience of internet most....

Because there are moments you don't want to squander in childhood that are just too precious.

We have started back to our schedule of daily educational goals, but still are enjoying/waiting out the summer of record heatwaves. But thankful to be in our new home. Thankful doesn't cover it. I am overwhelmed most of the time, not because of the number of books I've actually realized I have, now that they are all unboxed, but because we really don't plan to move. I can leave something there, and not worry if I should be remembering where I put it, so I don't leave it behind. I can put olive oil in my decanter my mother-in-law gave me, and not wonder whether/on what it will leak when we move the next time. I can paint, and no one will tell me to re-paint. I can't plant basil where I want to. This is only the beginning of my list, I'm too tired to count, but it's there, it's coming, the list that is. Because I'm counting, no matter what day of the weak, because there is too much for which to be thankful.

I've been reading John Stott's 'The Incomparable Christ'. Wonderful book. He recently passed away. I've had this book for 4 years, and haven't read. I guess it didn't make the first cut that didn't go into storage.

The boy's and I are reading Matthew & reading the parables, gearing up for our Memory work in Classical Conversations, from the book of John. I will be Henry's tutor this time. I'm truly looking forward to this. Everyone says it adds just what your missing. I think it will be just the ticket for us.

I'm participating in a yardsale tomorrow and throwing a birthday party on Sunday. Painted a room this morning and will be pricing things all night for tomorrow.

Our freezer doesn't work. I buy a bag of ice per week, and we just figure things out. The debate begins to replace our applicances. For now, we are able to function well, with many projects ahead, but for now the zip-line is up! and the boys are enjoying the swimming. Me too for that matter.

So much more, so little time, so thankful that the busy-ness is good. Thanks to God, the giver of all things good.

Five Books that Changed Who I Am

2011-07-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Edwards over at Veritas Academy tagged me in a no resist link-up. I just had to jump on this. Especially reading as voraciously as I am this summer!

Wow, how do you narrow that down... but I went to the first that came to mind, minus a few... one always leads to another so I just cut it down to cateories. I own all of these, take notes in them and replace them if I share/give them away. Sometimes putting a good book in someone's hand is more valuable than a perfect library.

1.Food

Barbara Kingsolver - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle This sparked a whole new part of my being. It made sense to me while written for enjoyment. I learned something, and began to appreciate writing in a whole new way. She is an excellent writer although her books are not for every audience.

2.Education

Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise -The Well-Trained Mind I swallowed this one whole. Haven't looked back.

Douglas Wilson's Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning Hammered in the nails after closing the box on ideas that no longer worked. Helped me gather a hammer & nails that fit & will build an education worth having.

3. Faith

Foster's The Celebration of Discipline - the fact that our daily walk really is the fruit of our spirit. The chapter that addressed stewardship was profound. Other spiritual disciplines were made more clear to me. Purpose in action was sparked.

4. Children in the Modern/Post Christian Age

The Plug-In Drug this book actually convicted me regarding television & video games.

Raising a Non-Violent Child John Rosemond - helped me gather the handful of behaviors I couldn't get a handle on. Gave me the tools to address what I hadn't been able to in the past.

Boy's Adrift by Leonard Sax - Profound information, from a secular professional.

5. Novel Category

To Kill a Mockingbird- the first book that made me cry & fearful --just reading a book.

Lfe-changing books I'm reading just now, during mymorning coffee....

Repairing the Ruins, The Classical & Christian Challenge to Modern Education

Ann Voskamp- One Thousand Gifts

Bradley Heath - Millstones & Stumbling Blocks - encapsulates many of the thoughts and questions I've had about homeschooling even after determining I would. It has sparked a fire.

Martin Lindstrom - Buy-ology The American dream has become a phrase I like less & less. As patriotic as I am, it is often driven by the effort of purchasing & consuming. This is an excellent book that really sets off alarms for those who want to be awakened.

~~~~~~~
One leads to another, thanks for encouraging me to take stock, Mrs. Edwards. I am enjoying summer reading quality books. Trying not to settle for adult twaddle. Trying to appreciate the written page, especially none more so than God's Holy Word. I am so thankful for the numerous Bibles I have around. What a blessing to be able to turn to life-giving-words, at the tip of my finger.

Post a a link to your list if you want here! but be sure to visit Mrs. Edwards. Her library of books is so enjoyable & inspiring! Thanks Mrs. E.!

Be blessed~ Laura

LIfetime Meds #39

2011-06-27T04:40:00.000-07:00

Just do it. Count. Start. Pray. Get there. Commitment. Choose.

This day I will count, even tho I want to complain in an inordinately inappropriate way. (can I get a witness?)

#332 My back hurts less, (I resembled the Hunchback of Notre Dame last week after an injury while parenting Henry.)

#333 The hardwood floors are in process.

#334 My husband is able to perform major repairs & often semi-major renovation projects.

#335 That he will do it.

#336 That he reads the Bible to our children.

#337 Renewed efforts are never less appreciated than continuous effort. Our God is Gracious.

#338 God is worthy of our devotion, love & worship.

#339 Swimming pools.

#340 Purposeful activity.

#341 Airconditioning.

#342 Change on the horizon.

I'm about to start reading Ann Voskamps One Thousand Gifts. Today I count with others meeting at Multitude Monday. Lifetime Meds for me, pointing the way to the Ultimate Giver.

New {Home} ~ New {Format}

2011-06-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

Change is a coming. But blogging is a secondary thing right now. But it sure does help me think! For now, be sure to wander over to SouleMama. Oh my how I love Elizabeth Mitchell. She does my soul some good. She (EM) has a new album.
Be blessed, the cup is more than half-full.

It's about time...

2011-06-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

It's all about timing. 'Are we there yet?' 'How much longer?' 'How many more days?' 'When will it be ready?' I saw the picture of me picking strawberries and thought about the fact that it is time for piano recitals, blueberries, swimming pools to open, vacation Bible school, ice-cream dinners, fireworks, riding bikes in bathing suits... you get the idea. The list goes on.

For us some of those things are working out, and some of them are just, well going to have to wait. We seem to be in a state of transition that seems to be dragging on. But we knew it would. We have steeled ourselves for the feelings of uncertainty that come with the temporary & awkward. But you can't do that for kids. Time marches on, and they can see it leaving them behind. They don't politely quell their frustrations, they don't calm their tears from anxiety. They just don't. The kids really are holding up well. We're not keeping them inside 24/7, it's just that some things as a part of the move are just difficult. What move isn't?

I counted one time, before 18, I'd lived in 9 houses. My parents have some war stories about moving. Like the time my parents left our Sunday clothes for worship service in Kentucky, and it was during an ice-storm. We made a great first impression, during a time when people actually expected a preacher to wear a tie & coat. The time we moved from Kentucky to Ohio, and my Dad was clipped by a drunk driver as he had just crossed the bridge into Cincinatti. Our stuff 'we don't want to break' was in the truck. It spewed all over the interstate, not to mention my Dad saw his life pass before his eyes. He was dazed but fine. A crew that seemed to patrol the interstate gathered everything that had been thrown, except for the guns that we're sure were picked up by less noble folks.

But those are the awful stories. I remember meeting some of my life-long friends, even the first Sunday I went to church when we'd moved. I remember thinking the stainglass was quite dramatic at 12th Street, especially for a church of Christ. I remember the farmhouse where I first read 'A Little Princess' and could see my breath in my bedroom from the cold. I remember learning about Kentucky Basketball & hearing 'My Old Kentucky Home' when the National Anthem was played. I know that the cotton fields from childhood grow in hot Memphis sun, because I walked them when I was a kid.

Moves don't come easy. It's loss. It leaves a void-- even if the move is across town. Change comes or continues with a 2nd tsunami like wave depending on whether the first house was a rental or the keeper.

But it's worth it. Change stretches us. Change creates character. It's up to us to use the opportunity to see the good-- the half-full version.

My mind is tired, but I can't be more thankful right now for the future days that are coming. We are all so excited about our new home, temporal as it is-- for this really isn't our final/forever home. We'll see that one on the otherside of Jordan.

Life-Meds #38

#317 A dwelling to move to

#318 Family to host us in the interim

#319 Nannies & Grandpas, Nanas and Poppas to host us, love us & support us.

#320 Bar-b-Q-- Yes, I made it to Memphis

#321 B'Lou, she's known me as long as I've been

#322 Aunt Heidi- rock star extroirdinaire in the kid-play, planning zone

#323 Splash pads

#324 Chicken Watcher's -- Dawn, who survived the first real chicken attack, RIP, no-name-chicken 1 & no-name-chicken 2

#325 Beaky survived

#326 Golden survived

#327 Silver survived

#328 Boy's who don't ask questions about chickens

#329 'Cracker Berry' where we've eaten our veggies

#330 Husband's who will pick-up kids when other is napping

#331 Love that covers a multitude of missed hugs, missed thank-you's.

Join Ann Voskamp ( whose book I'm just about to read with a study group of ladies!!!) on Monday's for Multitude Monday. It will change your life. Counting life's blessings- I call it Lifetime Meds.

New Kitchen Before

2011-05-20T05:18:00.000-07:00

The view over the sink.

What sold me. A view to the family room. from the kitchen. and the backyard.

Um.. where do I actually chop those vegetables. Who cares...

View from the current dining room door. To the left you can see the hall to the garage, laundry & powder. The pantry is that door open in the middle of the picture.

We'll see what happens. My ideas are found at houzz.com

{this moment}

2011-05-20T05:06:00.001-07:00

{this moment} a Friday ritual. single photo. no words. capturing a moment from the week. Enjoy more with Soulemama.

Lifemeds #37 Two Boys

2011-05-20T04:42:00.000-07:00

313 That's Henry in the middle. Youngest & smallest. Best player on the court!

314 Henry loves to make french toast & pancakes!

315 (strength & agility) Scooters at Memorial Park. Look Out!

316 (personality) he has 2 teeth missing, & is so excited about frogs & bugs. So seven-year-old.

Joy. 2 boys, full of energy, full of life & potential. Blessings. 2 boys.

Counting with others at A Holy Experience. Glimpses at His amazing creation. Lifemeds for me.

The Abolition of Man & My Book List

2011-05-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

Eric & Jack reading 'Encyclopedia Brown'.

Reading. One of those pesky good habits I'm trying to instill in my children.
So I realized I've been reading, but not exactly what I had included in my intentional book list.
So while packing a rather inordinate amount of books collecting dust around my house, I pulled out some good reads.
The Abolition of Man is a truly insightful & relative book to what is consuming my world right now. Wow. I must say. Classical education supported in an essay 'Men without Chests.'
'We make men without chests and expect virtue & enterprise. We laugh at honour & are shocked to find a traitor in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.'
It took me forever to get through the first few pages, put it down several times, but can't wait to finish this book. Like most C.S. Lewis, I have to chew a bit before I can really digest his brilliance.
Working on our mortgage (french word for 'death note'). But I don't feel like that. I am so excited about our new home. The boys call it 'our house'. I've picked out some carpet. Actually the carpet I had in our previous home as a bound rug. And a great teal blue-ish color for the kitchen. I've counted 18 knobs & 7 drawer pulls to be replace in the kitchen (changing to black from brass, and that's that. No big re-do yet. Just fresh paint & carpet. And that's alot.
So. Excited.
I also ran across my copy of Tisha. Beautiful true, love & life story. A young girl goes to Alaska in the 20's and begins teaching in a small school in a town called Chicken. Beautiful.
I find it interesting in reading both of these books, I am more assured in our decision to direct our children to Truth, in our deliberate efforts to teach what we believe is worth learning. His essay 'Men without Chests' describes how we expect child who grows up to be able to love that which is good when we don't give them clearn guidelines to what is really truth, goodness, purity, virtuous. When there is no Objective Truth, and only relativism disaster will follow.
Don't be discouraged to pick up 'Abolition'. I couldn't follow the first few pages, then I began to devour it.

~I also picked up finally after waiting & waiting for my copy at the library -- Amusing Ourselves to Death. It reminds me of The Plug-in Drug. Both of these books are in their anniversary publication after 20 years. 'Amusing Ourselves' was prefaced by his son and is well-done. I'm already hooked. We are so quick to settle on that which is only a glimpse, and often 'junk' to spend our days and nights thinking about. We must (a part of object truth, being able to use the word 'must') be deliberate in our efforts to refine in light of God's creation & Truth and only make the best, that with which we are familiar.

Those People in Goshen - God's Nation

2011-05-10T04:49:00.000-07:00

We are currently studying the Children of Israel while in captivity in Egypt. We've just finished Joseph and how they came to be located in Goshen, and now we're about to study the plagues. I am unfamilar with particular archaeologist but this page demonstrates the correlation of the plagues delivered by God to the Egyptian deities. It's amazing. The author of this particular page states

'These plagues not only demonstrate to the Egyptians, the Israelites, and Pharoah, but are of such a magnitude that they would be remembered through all generations.'

This is what makes the plagues so significant. They are a part of the story of God's people and His greatness and mercy. A nation as magnificent as Egypt could not stand against God.

I am anxiously awaiting this book about the 10 plagues and find that an occasional showing of Cecil B. DeMille's 'The Ten Commandments is just the ticket for generating a little interest in this story. I'm never disappointed there. It also gives rise to good discussion about how accuracy in the Bible is important. What does the Bible really say about this moment in history~ good stuff.

Peace in the Botanical Garden

2011-05-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

The State Botanical Garden was just what I needed. This mother's day was wonderful but long. We are packing & ready to get going, but we're really ready. And stress is high. EEk.

This is a photo of the Physic Garden, where many plants meant for human healing are planted. The benefits are some I think I'd really like to try, just about now.

Looking forward to heading back to see the 'Forged in Nature' exhibit, as we had to head to the bike park, to keep the boys contained.

The chickens are in a routine now of coming to their 'fence' in the former garden to be gathered up for bed. It's so sweet. They just wait. To go back to their brooder. They are still little and need to be back in the box but they're so excited about the outdoors. I've been protecting them from the hawks that fly over with our abandoned train table. The boys sit on it and pet the chickens. Henry is the most interested in taking care, although I have to clean him from head to toe regularly, several times a day. It's precious tho. So happy. Happiness.

With What Am I Familiar

2011-05-05T04:58:00.000-07:00

While reading a post at Simply Charlotte Mason, I began to get excited about what I can put on the walls at my new house. What I can do with the big blank canvas, that will be our home. Excitement is an understatement. I couldn't be more excited than if it was my wedding day. And for that I was pretty excited. Everything for us has been 'hurry up, and wait'. But that's life. For everyone. We haven't cornered that market.

But this post really struck a cord. I looked back at some younger photos of our kids and longed for some of those simple moments back. When watching 'Busy Town' was enough. When reading 'The Napping House' was really, really fun. We've really been filled with business and blank walls this year. Renting for 5 years now, I've been telling the kids, 'don't bang into that wall! Mr xxxx won't like that.' 'Don't dig that hole, Jack! Mrs.xxxx wont' be happy.' Mind you we've been blessed by a hurricane, or 2 that provided a playground of mulched fallen trees in the front yard, but the toll was taken, the telling them (not to be kids, in their own house). This last month seems to be the most painful. We know where the (unoccupied) house is. We know the neighbors, for whom I'm thankful each day. (they're take on raising kids is much like mine, benign negligence tempered with faithful family training.) But the waiting... We close after we move out of this house, so there will be a short period of homelessness.(we've got this figured out) But that's just, well, what it is. We've navigated crazier waters. White water's in fact. And we're still married, love our kids, and actually still have friends that speak to us.

So why the chickens-- now. I wanted the kids to be able to have them, pick them up, and not have someone tell them to stop. I love petting zoos, but those aren't mine. Sure I still want the boys to be careful. But they go sit in the garden and just play with them. It's precious. And for no matter how long it last, I'm happy I did this untimely chaotic thing.

We may or may not be able to keep them, some covenants are stronger than others. My neighbor is fine with it, we're not in city limits, but covenants are covenants, and I'm a rule keeper. But I'm not throwing in the towel yet. I'm going to have faith. And just not worry. We've been peddling too hard too fast, and we're going to enjoy the blessings of a home in less than perfect shape for what it is. A blank canvas, where we can put our stamp.

An opportunity to guide as I want to present that with which I want the kids to be familiar.

Nature, friends, maybe chickens, art, play, kindness, cooking, bicycles. Homesteading really isn't just about gathering animals. Homesteading is putting down rails, to steal Charlotte's term.

Although, and Eric knows this, I really, really wanted sheep and a big field for cotton, I know we, and I do mean we, know that a home is what is most important, right now. So from a homesteading point of view, I don't see this as failure. I see it as a challenge. A challenge to see what we can do, what changes we can make that will shape our family for the better.

I love shaping a home, and the blessing is mine for the taking.

Thankful am I.

Chickens, School, Weddings

2011-05-03T03:17:00.000-07:00

Outside school activities are almost over for our academic year. We'll continue to read and stay active in simple math so it's all not lost for the fall. We are on board for Classical Conversations, But we plan to enjoy the summer! I'm very excited to know what the summer might bring. Having a plan & knowing what might come our way is reassuring. We haven't decided on 'property' perse, but a home in a neighborhood. Yes, my little homestead will be in a neighborhood. So I've been reading 'Urban Gardener' & 'Backyard Homestead' to rethink the plan. But good principles translate if they really are your principles. So the challenge is on.
We enjoyed a wedding in Baton Rouge & visiting friends back in the neighborhood. It was great to watch the kids really wear themselves out.
I promised the boys chickens the day we got back. And I kept my promise. Even before Easter, which meant an overnight trip. Aracona and Silver-laced Wyandotts.
We are enjoying watching 3 week old chickens play, eat & sleep. The boys have named them all, even tho I have no idea which is which. Eric made a brooding box, complete with lid & light, & then spend the day in our mini-fenced garden area when we're home & it's warm. They love bugs. I don't know if that's good for them as young as they are, but I figure if they were free-range hatched, they'd be eating plenty of bugs along with they're mash.
I'm optimistic that our chickens will not cause a stir in the new neighborhood, but we plan to be good neighbors. No matter what. There will be lots of projects to do around the house, and I'd rather us get settled more than we have been than worry about chickens. Really.
Priorities come to light, you do what you gotta do.
the bad news... my computer won't be back till next week, so pictures of my chicks will have to wait. Coming soon, tho! Homeschool curriculum update coming soon.

Alphabet Art

2011-04-23T05:41:00.000-07:00

The home search is coming to an end, but this link will sure inspire. Super cute crafty art. Enjoy.

Reading Curriculum

2011-04-13T17:31:00.001-07:00

Phonics Pathways has been our tool for reading this year. My friend Leslie, had used it carefully, and was very pleased. Our 1 day school had used it as a guide and frame for activities in class & assignments. I have just never warmed to it.

Last night I got 'The Ordinary Parents Guide to Reading' out and it was like a reunion with a long lost friend. I looked through it and found it to be just what I've been missing. It seems so much more comprehensive. But to stay on task with a group/school program, you don't add to the work, especially with a 1st grader. You just do 1 program and supplement and be creative as you go. But the 'school' year is ending and I'm seeing the light shining big & bright on 'Ordinary Parents guide'. I can't wait!

Mudpies and Other Recipes

2011-03-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

When I was little... this was a favorite. Enjoy.

The Earth is the Lord's

2011-03-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

'the Earth is the Lord's

and everything in it,

the world,

and those who live in it.'
Psalm 24:1

This has been our memory verse for the first section of Our Spiritual Heritage Bible study. The period covers 'first fathers' of OSH, creation, & introduction of Abraham.

Our second memory verse is from:

Psalm 146:5-6

'Happy is the person who has the God of Jacob for his help. Whose hope is in the Lord, his God, who made heaven & earth, the sea and all that is in them.'

April, Lord willing will bring us the a comforting and encouraging verse,

Psalm 40:11b

'Let Your loving kindness and your truth

always preserve me.'

These verses are selected for the modified pre-school lessons for OSH chronology box of the Bible. We are all continuing to learn Ephesians 6, along with Jack for his regular academic work.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

2011-03-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

These two little boys want to go out and play, and there will be mud. and laundry.

My computer has been at 'the shop', but it's on the mend. Still house/homestead shopping. Finding, getting, aquiring... not where my heart wants to be. It wants to be digging, creating, growing. But it's a necessity, the getting of the place to do the digging, etc..
So these Sunday dudded kiddos continue to play in the muddy creek, ride bikes 'with no training wheels,' and enjoy playing HARD.
Blessed are we, health, love, opportunity. Thank you Lord, for not 'cutting me off', when I forget to take my 'meds'. Lifetime meds that is.
Henry was thankful for the rain today, stay rain, stay... makes more mud.

An Apology for Latin or Math

2011-02-21T19:00:00.000-08:00

I've been juggling the math question and stumbled upon this article. Latin seems so mandatory to me, but I have long been a believer in delayed math. But common practice & marital bliss have required a start in the subject. But the article above (linked first) shed a little light about math being a 'subject' not a grammar subject, much like Latin.
I'm working on a start in Classical Conversations which will provide the memorization facts, but give freedom of planning in our educational plan.
Another related article about Latin I found very interesting can be found here.
We'll be incorporating Latin for sure, and math in a slower pace, 'grammar' of the subject way as time unfolds.

Lifemeds #36

2011-02-20T15:16:00.000-08:00

Counting still {1000 gifts}

301 Nana's who come to visit & do the laundry.

302 watch the kids

303 celebrate victories no matter how small.

304 Jack finally losing a top tooth

305 Henry's attitude (happiness)

306 opportunities in homeschooling to solidify connections made in learning.

307 beautiful weather

308 concert at UGA to hear amazing musicians (Punch Brothers)

309 Eric's williness to see & enjoy the moments of life (he got the tickets without my knowing)

310 Valentine Junior Mints from my sweetie.

311 Excellent DAR meeting

312 the boy's enthusiasm for playing tennis -- TOGETHER

That's my list for now...

Be sure to visit the Gratitude Community over at A Holy Experience to enjoy the company of others counting what could be an endless list of blessings ~ One Thousand Gifts.

I call it ~ Lifetime Meds.

Homesteading Revisited

2011-02-19T14:00:00.000-08:00

We feel we've been on a break, and found ourselves just needing to 'survive'. A move of any nature is disturbing & disruptive. We are in a 9 month position of recovery. We're getting our feet. Perhaps because we've 'figured out' what we really need, and 'how far out' is really far enough.

It's likely we'll put yet another offer on a house this weekend. We've missed a couple, but that's just part of the learning curve, growing process, and character building. I'm curved, processed & built enough. I WANT TO GO HOME. Hang up my horseshoe over the door and plant the garden. And it's really time to start living, stop fretting & wringing hands.

We had a serious moment last week, that sent our Valentines day into a tailspin. Our dog of 11 years bit H. A dog nip is one thing, but this was serious. We knew it. It was time. She's gone and a chapter in our lives has closed before we were ready. We love her and miss her. How silly, not really, time invested into a living creature... she gave us so much and we hope we cared for her well. We know it's a part of life, but she's gone. Our hearts broken are ready for the opening of the new chapter.

Chickens, goats, horses? Perhaps a new dog, when the season comes. I was able to vist Lazy B Farm in person, & savor the company of likeminded women for an evening of coffee and discussion. Excellent. Next meeting in a few weeks for those who are nearby.

For now, we appreciate the simplicity, have played tennis everyday in the beautiful weather, and have enjoyed our Valentines as best we could.

Mt. Hope Chronicles: Q & A: Homeschooling

2011-02-09T20:05:00.000-08:00

Visited Heidi @ Mt. Hope Chronicles: Q & A: Homeschooling for some homeschooling questions about boys, and just in general. Head on over for some excellent information about Classical Conversations (links), and some good detail about her world of learning. And you'll get to see Lola. Don't miss Lola.

Inspiration

2011-02-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

This photo from Southern Living is inspiration to me. perhaps it's the big french doors. The fireplace, with it's contemporary art, or the persian rug. The 2 kids in my house seldom if ever sit that still. We are working on 2 offers, on 2 different houses. Life moves on. So literally.

Jack is working on memorizing Ephesians 6, and is currently in the midst of the armor of God. What an amazing illustration for us. Henry is quoting 'The earth is the Lord's and everything in it,' taken from Psalm 24:1.

Lifemeds #35

2011-01-31T04:58:00.000-08:00

274 finding a book that actually helped me with the tv addiction problem.

275 the desire to do something about it.

276 peace about a house.

277 breathtaking weather.

278 a beaverdam in our creek.

279 boys healthy play in the creek.

280 4-H clubs and a home-school group each month.

281 my husband.

282 that he watched the boys 2 times this last week so I could make 2 special meetings.

283 a self-defense class with friends at Tae Kwon Do

284 a Homesteading Meeting!!! how fun!

285 complimentary school classes that teach scripture

286 my Sword

287 Sunday pot lucks - yum.

288 coupons that I found while shopping for groceries

289 the time (3rd time Eric watched boys in the week) I had to shop alone for groceries.

290 duct tape

291 my washing machine

292 a steam carpet cleaner

293 my vaacum (last years christmas present)

294 our table hockey game

295 an obedient dog

296 teachable boys

297 patient friends

298 a home for Leslie

299 a decorator she loves

300 opportunity.

I heard last week one is happier if they have a meeting to attend once a month. Well once a week individuals meet up on a Monday morning to share in a Gratitude Community, counting 1000 Gifts. Visit there. Join. It's amazing.

I call it my lifemeds. It is a medicine I will always need. Gratitude.

Friday...

2011-01-21T13:02:00.000-08:00

I can't seem to get all the pictures uploaded, quick enough to coincide with what all is going on. We've stayed home today, a day to be home. what a blessing. This is close to what the house looked like during the snow. It's gone now. We'll have more, but a break is nice.

Boys have been outside playing- hard.

It's cool enough to wear a superman costume under a hunter suit.

It's cool enough to want hot chocolate, but not to freeze in the great outdoors.

It's sunny, to warm the soul.

Tasks are done so I can get some school planning done.

It's good, it's a blessing.

I'm looking for lentil soup recipes, while planning to make cranberry bread.

It's the end of the month you know, so we're cleaning the pantry!

Have a wonderful weeknd. ~

Laura

Lifetime Meds #34

2011-01-19T04:16:00.001-08:00

#262 snow that slowed us down.

#263 a husband who kept us going.

#264 groceries from a large well-planned run.

#265 finally- organization in school.

#266 boys who love snow.

#267 Tae Kwon Do

#268 recognizing people in a new town.

#269 that they recognize you.

#270 coupons that fall in your lap.

#271 fun with Yahtzee.

#272 a good nights sleep.

#273 promises renewed every morning.

God is more than a dose of medication. His promises are more than a prescription. They are the marrow that resides in our bones. His promises and faithfulness are the blood & air that passes through our souls intricate creation. Thank you Lord, for your blessings. Your mercy. Your goodness.

Praying a prayer of thanksgiving, with others at a the Gratitude Community. Visit A Holy Experience to share with others in a global offering of thanks.

Legacy

2011-01-12T19:14:00.000-08:00

When making major life decisions, like buying a house, one can really get caught up in the details. How big, floorplan, location, etc... but it all really comes back down to 'how will we live' in the location, will the floorplan enhance our lives, will the size facilitate our family's closeness and personal growth? Will we be close enough to amenities or far enough away to see the rolling hills while we drive to and from the amenities.

I read this post today while scrolling pictures, ideas & whatnot. It struck a cord. How will my kids remember me? will the see the profile of my face in the screen light of my laptop, or my smile directly looking at them, setting the media world to the side, just to get a goodmorning hug?

First things first. First things, must be first. There's only one chance. Regrets are such a burden. I don't want to spend my days, wishing, regretting.

Prayerfully, we press on in the decision where to live. But along the way, I want to live. Not to worry. To go confidentally. Looking them right in the eye, and riding the sled right down the hill of life with them.

Heart of the Home

2011-01-12T17:52:00.000-08:00

Here's the most likely candidate for the heart of our home. I look at these pictures and well, hmmm. I see lots of painting cabinets, & demo on that back wall behind the kitchen table (see the one beyond the fridge). Now if you'll look to the right in the sidebar of my blog, you'll see an amazing link for Houzz's. This is my new best friend when it comes to renovation ideas. It has EVERYTHING. I made a notebook for this particular kitchen, and the picture you see first is the idea I see for this kitchen. The view from the kitchen is amazing.

We'll see what happens. (Thank you Annesta for reminding me, not to worry.)

Lifemeds #33

2011-01-10T04:15:00.000-08:00

All things bright & beautiful,

creatures great & small,

all things wise & wonderful,

the Lord God made them all.

#250 snow, falling all night.

#251 savory butternut squash soup

#252 vegetable soup

#253 friends who ask you over to stay a while. visit. play.

#254 games like rummikub

#255 healthy sons.

#256 a husband and his birthday celebration.

#257 bowling with family to celebrate.

#258 bobble-heads.

#259 a testimimony of faith & a new creature in Christ.

#260 my first gift of farm-fresh-eggs.

#261 dreams realized. hope.

Lifemeds to me, counting one thousand gifts, all pointing to the Ultimate Giver. His name be praised because He alone, in the Trinity of His nature, provides every good gift. If there is merit or virture to be found, He is the source.

If you've needed, like me encouragement to become closer to God, start counting and be a part of the Gratitude Community at AHolyExperience.

{this moment}

2011-01-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

{this moment}

Friday ritual of celebrating life's moments. No words. Visit others at Soulemama.

Diligently Seeking God ~ Daily

2011-01-06T04:36:00.001-08:00

Last year one book I did commit to read was Diligently Seeking God by Gary Henry. It is an excellent sharply honed tool to guide one's thoughts to the greatness of God. In daily terms with daily entries, it pulls in thoughts from great thologians, while breaking down the daily issues of life. Real life.

So this year I decided I'd read through it again. No yearly reading is perfect. I'm sure I'll come across entries I missed, and read them with a new perspective. When I started last year, we hadn't moved. My proverbial 'cheese' was in the same place. Now there are new challenges, new blessings, new influences. But God is still exactly who He's always been. The Great 'I AM'. Never changing, always gracious, just in everyway, merciful in abundance.

Last year I also started counting blessings/gifts over at A Holy Experience, with a Gratitude Community. I have met some of the most beautiful women who show up on Monday with a list of what they've noticed as gifts & blessings in their lives. It's what I called 'daily meds.' Gratitude is an amazing way to notice the Giver. And it's all ultimately from Him. Everything that is good begins with Him. Every virtue, every kindness, every material gift. So once again, I will renew my effort to take note of my blessings. And join others at the Gratitude Community.

Moda Bakeshop

2011-01-05T19:51:00.000-08:00

I love quilts. Have started a few. Finished only a couple small ones. I think this one at Moda Bakeshop is precious. Inspiration.

A beautiful finished version using this pattern 'Wonderland' can be viewed here at Tiny Homestead. Last quilt in the post.

Winter Nature

2011-01-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

I just ordered a nature series notebook from Anna Comstock on Handbook of Nature Studies. The creek on the back of the property is calling. I'm sure there will be more snow. Sure of it. Looking forward to a little nature. We ordered the Winter Wednesday Nature Pages.

December Snow 2010

2010-12-26T17:22:00.000-08:00

December 26

2010-12-26T17:05:00.001-08:00

Traditions. Moments. Christmas.

New traditions, moments you know you've passed a landmark. No highchairs, actually documenting the cookies that Nana made. Remembering a special book, and reading it with the boys. Actually realizing the book is Ukranian, Eric's ethnic heritage. Letting it go, when the plan to do all the Jesse Tree, just right, doesn't go as planned. But knowing Christ is in their hearts, and will only more fully develop His place through the years. Blessed.

Book List 2010 in Review

2010-12-19T19:38:00.000-08:00

So I posted a hefty list last January, of hopeful reads. I did read but only 3 books on my list.

Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis made the list. (personal read)

7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Steven Covey (book club read)

Diligently Seeking God by Gary Henry (daily devotional)

Those were the only 3 on the list I can honestly say, I really read.

I tried to read Giliead... Angle of Repose. But ~ did. not. happen.

I did however, re-read & add other books of course.

The De-Valuing of America: The fight for Our Culture and Our Children, by Willliam Bennett. 1992

The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. 1996

Repairing the Ruins: The Classical & Christian Challenge to Modern Education

edited by Douglas Wilson. 1996

Flight from the City by Ralph Borsodi. 1933

Flight from City, was a really, really interesting read. It is a homesteading book, which came on the heels of the crash in 1929, and referenced earlier, but similar economic crashes in our country. What you will find interesting is the similarities in the thinking of people from then & today.

I found Bennett's book an interesting discussion of his time in offices he held during Reagan's administration. I didn't realize he was a Democrat when he came to office. He however was truly one of the most conservative appointees during that administration. He mentions his 'controversial' history, but makes no bones about his dedication to morality & virtue. It is an excellent read for provoking thought in my own noble intentioned but tired mind. It is convicting in ways you wouldn't think. I highly recommend it.

Omnivore's Dillemma ~ page 486. Read.

Ruin's ~ excellent read for a parent who is baffled by the choices of homeschooling & a christian education. Numerous topics discussed, including but not limited to: 'why rhetoric, literature & apologetics' and 'why Latin'., to 'egalitarianism' & 'the Trivium applied'.
It made me think.

That's all the read's I can remember off the top of my head. This was not the year for reading fun stuff, I tried, I really gave it my best shot, but my heart was absorbed in the move, in reflective thought, the how-to's & the task at hand.

Perhaps I'll not be quite so ambitious this year, but I'm sure there will be an excellent read again. I know it's just around the corner....

I Have a Song ~

2010-12-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

the view from Newcomb Kitchen sink... where I 'sang' many a song....

I was reminded today talking to my best friend, I didn't talk till I was about 3. It was thought I was, well, slow. Perhaps I am, on many fronts for reasons other than ability, but none-the-less, I didn't say much. My brother was a talker. Still is, and these days he has alot to say, and most of the time, it's worth a listen. But back in the day, I had to fight to get a word in edgewise.

One day when my parents were tape recording us, I spoke up, with intrepid determination,

~ 'I have a song' ~

For years, my Dad has hounded me to write that book,

for I surely won't sing it.

But if there ever was a song, it is because my parents put it there.

Their integrity of heart is demonstrated today,

by the anniversary of 50 years of marriage.

They'll shoot me if you call them or throw a last minute surprise party, I'm so immature, I'm still a little fearful to post this. But some things must be noted. If you've seen anything in this blog worthwhile, it was probably encouraged by my parents, and the steadfast encouragement of their children. Whatever you've seen in their children that stands lacking, it's been because they know the best lessons are learned through experience, not because they didn't try.....

I love my parents, but I'm not alone. I'm thankful for the many & numerous moments they have encouraged many a soul along the path of life. Their dedication to their collective & individual interests or callings have stirred in me often, a melody that can keep me humming about the most mundane of times. I can hear their prayers, I can see their affection for one another. I know their moments of challenge, but most of all I know they have a dedicated love, unsurpassed. They are not perfect - who of us is? I know their weaknesses, their quirks, but they know the dearest of each other & keep that precious to themselves. And that has been a chorus liken to the most beautiful sung by the Mormons in their tabernacle, I can play over & over in my mind.

I thank you Mom & Dad for the 50 years. I celebrate you today, while Jack plays 'Good King Wencellas' tonight, know I appreciate it, because indeed, you did put a song in my heart.

Perhaps if we weren't so 'English' but more 'Celtic' I'd sing 'my song' like this.... love you both...

Shutterfly's 'free' offer to Bloggers

2010-12-10T07:47:00.000-08:00

Friend, when I saw this, I jumped. Then I had to postpone my effort to comment because life got in the way. But dawdle no more. Last year I had the perfect card, and alas didn't order. But this year, I'm GOING FOR IT.

Go to this link, to read more about this offer of 50 free folding cards to bloggers.

I love shutterfly. It has made many a photo need of mine ever so simple. Making it easy to share smiling faces like this one of our own boys. As you can tell by the sample cards from Shutterfly, there are numerous options to spell out the joy, so check it out!

Merry Christmas!

{this moment}

2010-12-10T06:04:00.000-08:00

Merry and Bright

2010-12-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas is bright, beautiful. Amid life, we are festive, even with sniffles, from colds & allergies. The cold weather has been amazing to us, after our season in the seasonless realm of Louisiana. We love & miss Louisiana. But here we are. In Georgia. And we are here to stay. So we continue our house hunt, & goal refining. Reading a little 'Omnivore's Dilemma' will set one to thinking.

I've found Classic Holiday on our tv options and have been enjoying tunes like this one.

May your Christmas be merry & bright.

December 1st

2010-12-01T06:23:00.001-08:00

I was ready. December 1st has brought a welcomed relief from many things. Sickness, unseasonal warm weather, anticipation of our Jesse Tree. We actually did it. I'm so excited.

This year Ann Voskamp is offering her book as a download. I'm not sure if it's exactly the same as the published book, or more like a journal, but it includes, to my knowledge, the ornaments. Day 1~~ the reason we need Christ. Sin came into the world. We need a Savior.

December 1st brought a special 1st for me. My first red Cardinal sighting. Beautiful, just as God made him. Off to make some pinecone feeders.

If you are unfamiliar with Ann, this is one of my first encounters with the idea of counting 1000 gifts.

Lifemeds #32

2010-11-22T03:41:00.000-08:00

#238 letting go of 'waiting to put the tree up'.

#239 star gazing with Henry on the trampoline.

#240 Jack being old enough/responsible enough to put some of the decorations up himself.

#241 a break from 'school'.

#242 God's provisions for today. Abundance.

#243 health, strength.

#244 visits with out of town friends.

#245 a day with Henry with his best buddy, Eden. and of course her Mom.

#246 him asking , 'Mom, say 'I love you', and him responding, 'I love you too'.

#247 secret jokes with the boys.

#248 my husband taking the whole day to look at houses.

#249 a stash of white beans in the pantry at the end of the month.

If you've ever thought about joining the gratitude community over at A Holy Experience, today is a great day to visit & join. It's simple, and meeting others in this world who are thankful to God for the abundance of blessings in this life is powerful. Reading what others write inspires to look more deeply into our own lifes, and find the soul medicine of grattitude.

Another 'Maybe' House

2010-11-12T05:41:00.001-08:00

Every room has paneling, except 3 downstairs. The kitchen was re-done in 1968. As were the bathrooms. It's orginal house was built in 1840. Yeah, one might call this a 'total-gut' job, but it's got potential. The addition is the kitchen which has vaulted ceilings & a working fireplace in the 'keeping' room. The kitchen window looks out on the swing on the tree. It has a barn & pastures, and enormous bedrooms. It actually is plummed with 2 bathrooms upstairs. & 1.2 down. and some acreage not too far from civilization. Finding the balance betwen being in the city & in the country is an issue for us. We were urbanites long enough to need to get to town-- quick!

We'll see. Who knows....

I'm visiting here to get some inspiration.

Boy's and the Outdoors

2010-11-12T04:19:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago, I received a call from an old friend who has the most precious little girl named 'Piper'. While we talked she could hear my boys running through the house, crashing into things & the consequential yelps that came with all that rushing about. My threshold for mayhem has grown. I'm a quiet mushroom type person who could sit cozied up by a fire or quietly for hours reading on a summer day. Call it laziness, or whatever, but I'm not inclined to suggest that 4 mile round-trip hike to the top of a mountain to see the waterfall. Or the tromp into the woods to just see what we can see. But your kids will make you do things you never dreamed you would.

Like let your 4 year old walk around with a red-rider bb gun. But we're training him to be safe with a benign rifle before he moves on to a .22. Does it hurt to be shot with a bb gun?(you remember, I have a brother) Sure it does, but he can't pump it past 2....

So while I was talking to Piper's mom, I was invited to go shoot army men in the yard. She was (literally) invited to go to 'twinkle land'.

(Ironically enough they neither wanted to stick their hands in the pumpkin goo. )

Lifetime meds #31 - November 1st

2010-11-01T04:47:00.000-07:00

#230 children who wake up healthy in the morning - happy or not.

#231 that halloween is over, the candy will eventually be gone.

#232 beautiful, breathtaking leaves for fall.

#233 the cool weather.

#234 books my son wants to read for school 'The Apple and the Arrow'

#235 his spontaneous recitation of John 1:1-3 during the sermon with the minister.

#236 that the Word came

#237 that Jesus did come, He's worthy of being more than just a friend, He's worthy of our worship as King of our lives.

Dreaming with a friend

2010-10-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

If you've never met 'Flower Patch Farmgirl' go read this post, enjoy her pictures, and laugh at her tongue & cheek antics. She's a cyber friend who has cut the edge off of many a stressful situation for me. She's an adoptive mom with the cutest kids. She's a realist. A dreamer. A writer. A 'Real' blogger. One who doesn't always sugar coat life. I always laugh when I visit her. Sometimes I cry, but I'm always glad I visited her.
Wander over to this link-- then wander on your own to your area of interest.

Vikings & Medieval History

2010-10-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

I found a great link for the Vikings & Medieval History, that is kid friendly. This is one rough period of history & it often boils down to weaponry & fighting for boys. This site allowed us to load a boat with supplies that would meet the needs of the mission. Of course that mission involved weaponry & fighting but it did have numerous of first source references that really brought it to life. No surprise it's from the BBC. Check it out.

I've also been reading 'Repairing the Ruins- The Classical & Christian Challenge to Modern Education. ' -- 'an ordered summary of talks given at national conferences of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools.' Douglas Wilson, Author of 'Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning' is the editor of the written version of these presentations, with such speakers as Marlin Detweiler, Tom Garfield, Douglas Jones, Jim Nance, Chris Schlect, & Tom Spencer. Narratives from Douglas Wilson are also included.

So far I've read 2 in particular, one about the Grammar stage of classical education, and now I've moved into another about Logic & Rhetoric.

If you've ever wondered, thought about schooling at home, or wondered why your friends homeschool 'went to the trouble,' books like ones mentioned above are what convinced me. I also read Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise's 'The Well Trained Mind' which actually walks you through what it takes roughly talking through graduation.

Sites like the BBC come about when you are entrenched in the day-to day of it, but there are some fundamentals that convict one why 'to go to all the trouble.'

Photo credit: Viking Rune Stone

Resource for teaching Viking History: The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer Vol. II

Still waters

2010-10-13T05:15:00.000-07:00

Ann Voskamp shared in this post, the benefits of enjoying nature. I've also been re-reading The Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv, an eye-opening read about the lack of exposure to nature in children today. But it's not just exposure, it's experience. Eric mentioned to me last night, while reading from the book, how he remembered the texture of the trees he used to climb. I can also. Those kind of memories are created when your mind isn't focused on perameters or safety. When you can wander.... and not be concerned about being hit by a car.

Inspiring Destinations

2010-10-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes 'the park' just isn't enough. So many times places of interest & purpose are overlooked in favor of the nearest bouncy house. But that's not what I'm talking about--I'm talking about site seeing, that which might be thought too much for little guys-- not interesting enough. But often turns out to be the best quiet evening you could have thought of.

Planted by Streams lives near enough to DC to wander to beautiful places, and while looking at her pictures, I tried to think of an inspiring place near us, for a day trip.

Then I remembered visiting the old church & cemetery in Lexington. It's not the National Cathedral, but I'm impressed. I think it's beautiful, especially at sunset. The boys were truly taken with the place. We are careful to be respectful of the graves. Conveniently there is a park directly across the street with room to run. But I think they enjoyed the tour through the cemetery best.

(The cross marker is from the CSA, Confederate Army)

Just in case you didn't read the update, we did not get a contract on the house. The hunt continues.....

An offer on a House

2010-10-09T04:59:00.000-07:00

If you've ever made an offer on a house, the waiting game can be painful. We did. and it's well, uncomfortable. It is possible we'll receive a positive response, but there we're other offers. Perhaps better than ours, perhaps not better. For now, we'll pray, go camping & just wait for the outcome. Posession or the desire of that possession can consume a person. However, it's not my right to be consumed with that. Or frustration/anger if it doesn't become ours. I am to be content in all things. So we'll camp, play games, worship, keep the kids encouraged about our dreams & what's befor us today.
Isn't the house beautiful? a 2 over 2 with a nice addition. 1840's. yep. interesting.... Enough to keep me awake at night, several nights in a row.
Update as of 10/12/2010-- our offer didn't fly. But I'm really ok with that. We're going to keep on looking! Our home will be out there!

Looking for my Starbucks next to the Scratch Feed

2010-09-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

I pondered the differences in my former life to what is 'the new reality.' And this is what comes to mind. I remembered a day when it was normal to see a Starbucks coffee barista in my local Target Store. Friends, we've crossed over to the 'new reality.' While buying some last minute, whoops I forgot to buy Millie dog food- cans-o-chow, I saw this. Not the starbucks on aisle 4, but the scratch feed. Yes, chicken feed in my local grocery store.

If you've known me forever, you are laughing. If you've only known me a few months, you may see the irony, or you may be offended. Don't be offended. You see there is a large lot of us city-dwellers, who are very thankful to see chicken feed on aisle 4. Especially when we're not used to stopping by the feed store & the grocery.

Still no chickens for us, but working on it.

Today, I am thankful-- yes, thankful am I.

Dream House

2010-09-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

How do I merge 'dream house' & simple living? You know you've asked yourself equally difficult questions. I found myself on my knees asking this question today.

If you zoom in on my face, you can see me in deep consternation. I only get this look about a couple of things (adoption & real estate). This picture is taken at a potential home buy for us. This property with all its details & nuances was a real find. But one must really dig deep these days. This market is really doing a deal on my thinking. Years ago, we bought, in fact we've bought 2 homes. Long and the short, we sold the last of those 2 last May. In this market. In 2 weeks. We priced to sell, didn't take a beating, but it was painful. It had been our home. A house is only a house, but once you've made some memories in it, it's a home.

I digress. So we're still looking. At least as of 21:27 Athens time. We've decided to put the breaks on and not look till the new year. Bwaaahahahhaahaaa... that's like saying 'I think I'm going to wait to breath again until New Years Eve! I wake thinking about this, think about it while we do phonics, while I'm singing, while I'm eating... I could go on. But I don't think it's just because I've watched too many episodes on HGTV. A house is a woman's place of work. I'm in a temporary homestead. So for now, I really am concentrating on school, & dinners, games & trampolines, and being grateful for our current digs. The firepit helps. Alot.

And then... I find a blog post like this, and of all places. Martha Stewart linked up 26 houses. And of course I found the ultimate renovation. A ranch re-do. I love ranches. I love farm houses, but I also love ranches that ramble, into which you can create cozy places, with ripped out vaulted ceilings. However, I want my ranch to look like this one. I think I could find a re-do house priced right. Work on the structure & then bring it up to speed as we go. But seriously, I really don't want to be house poor. Not just house poor, but stressed because of it. We've been there. We escaped. Narrowly. The math just didn't turn the numbers I knew & dear Husband knew we needed to turn a 2 over 2 1840's on acres into our home. This is the time for me to be about as money smart as possible. Being the buyer doesn't have the same feeling anymore (if you don't like it you just sell it and move...)It may be a buyers market but that buy still needs to be realistic in order to be resonsible & live simply.

photo credit: vaulted ceiling from Martha Stewart .com

'Don't Make Me Count to Three!' - Book link

2010-09-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

This book caught my eye. I'm in a 'take no prisoners' mode right now. Again, I say this caught my eye, haven't read it, but saw it on Equip Academy's blog & thought I might have to put it on my list to read.

Book title: 'Don't Make Me Count to Three' by Ginger Plowman.

Last Child in the Woods

2010-09-21T18:53:00.000-07:00

I've owned this book for a couple of years. I pulled it out the other day, when we found a house that might fit the bill for us. We have wondered exactly how far in the country we wanted to live. We moved, if you remember from an urban location. Moving from one lifestyle to another is a shock to the system. But reading a book like this brings it all back to mind why we did this in the first place.

Sustainability is one of the reasons we want to be in a rural/no covenant type living arrangment. Being able to do with one's property what you want is important to us. But we've also begun to realize how important 'room to run' is to kids. After watching our kids roam without perceived physical & imposed boundaries, its become far more important to us to find a place that has 'room to run.

This book is not talking about nature worship, it does not suggest the DNR Medical encyclopedia needs to develop a new syndrome (quite the opposite), it does not advocate worship of nature instead of God.

It does enlighten one to things we probably know already. What happens when the power in your house goes out, what happens when kids see a big field or a stream? Imagination & interest come alive. There's no script (unless parents or caregivers suggest it)... When pushed outside kids have an opportunity to naturally decompress from busy-ness & overload.

Our minds were not created to be able to process the overload diet we live on. Especially pre-schoolers. This is not limited to, but certainly includes tv. (lowercase letters as we'd lower-case an alternative god)

It's hard to break away. I'm in withdrawal right now. When 'everything' is 1/2 an hour away, you really gotta want it. But I'm seeing the upside to that. You really gotta want it. It forces to you to weigh out what it is, why, how, and is it really worth it. We really have played alot of games in place of finding another outlet that might be a part of the 'over-load'.

Does everyone need to move to the sticks to do this? No, but we do need to understand our need for peace that is found in nature. Louv's descriptions of our over-dose attempts to be in the outdoors bring it home that regular simple exposure & sanctuary is vital to our quality of life.

We have no shortage of enthusiasm for dirt around our house, it's just getting them out there and becoming more accustomed to becoming lost in the quiet, peace & sanctuary of God's creation.

More on this to come. But if you've ever wanted real motivation, convicting motivation to 'unplug'-- this is it. Run don't walk to Barnes & Noble, click on that prime button on Amazon, or better yet, see if your library carries this book.

BTW, I bought it, while on a kid trip to B&N in Baton Rouge. Train table, coffee, magazines, etc... But since that day, I've realized even more how little my kids need to be exposed to extreme commmercialism. I'm a junkie. And I don't want them to be junkies. I see a connection to contentment & peace here. It was a purchase I'm glad I made tho, as I have read it as a touchstone to ground me again in a world that's looking for answers in all the wrong places.

Fun at Our House

2010-09-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

Because things have been just a little too serious around here lately....

If you we're wondering...

2010-09-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

In a recent post over at Mt. Hope Chronicles, Heidi posted a candid letter to a 'dear friend'. It was honest. Open, so that those who might think her world was 'perfect' would realize she was just like anyone else. I often talk in lofty thought, ideals, positives, scriptures. So this is why I posted my comments about the post-office job. Something do-able hit the radar. Something even I could justify. So...

If you we're wondering, I, in all likelihood will not persue(a word I can NEVER spell correctly) a career with the postal service just now. But it ranks right up there with the kind of thing that people always wonder about homeschool mom's. Do you miss working outside the home? do you ever think you'll go back to work? did you always think you'd homeschool? You must be very patient... I could never do that.

Like most mothers, I think I've had my share of days of complete confidence in 'the plan'(my plan being to stay at home while my kids are at home & homeschool), but there are those days you'd just like to pack it up and send them to FULL TIME DAYCARE. Anywhere, but in your own care. I'd love to have a cleaning lady, I'd love to have carpets that don't resemble a locker room floor.

I'd love to decorate with the confidence that it will not get broken before the day ends.

I'd love to have a parent-teacher conference that involves more than me and my husband.

But will I? No. I'm a pretty determined little gal, this one. I've read just about every source, even those undocumented in this blog, that convicts me for now that this is the road we'll take. That of what seems to be a traditional track, and perhaps even more narrow of homeschooling.

Now I'm also a practical gal, learning along the way, that educating one's own children doesn't always look like what you've always thought. One of my dearest friends in the world seems to have a 'helper' around pretty regularly. We often shared carpool duties to activities our children shared, I trusted her judgment in those she allowed to care for her children, and didn't overthink the ramifications of them being 'out of my care'.

I'm a very deliberate person. But I'm often the one considered a little more lax in my parameters of mothering. I'm never called a 'helicopter mom' (the hovering mom) when probably I could have been a little more involved for the happiness of everyone. But it's interesting in getting to know people, what they perceive to be the reasons one homeschools.

There are numerous reasons I want to homeschool. There are many that I can rattle off in an academic style list. But probably, it's not that I'm worried about others influence, but my lack of influence if I'm less focused on them. My opportunity for influence will diminish as the years sneak away. And they aren't sneaking anymore. Jack grew 3 inches this last year. He's huge. But his mind is what is showing me, he needs me & Eric more than he's ever needed us.

Does he need others? YES. Unequivocally. But I know myself. I cannot do 2 jobs well. My focus becomes well, diminished, weakened, lessened, when I'm involved with even noble projects.

I'm just now learning this. I used to be even a little weirded out by folks who wanted to be closer to their kids. But in this world's social, academic, spiritual, etc.. climate-- my kids need me. And they need me to be full of wholesome rituals & consistency. And quite frankly those are my weaknesses. For every 'fun-day' of homeschooling, there was a painfully awkward day of poor parenting. (that's the reality of blogging... we only want to see the good stuff, that's encouraging right? (see my reference above to http://mthopeacademy.blogspot.com/2010/09/another-note-to-another-friend.html & her letter to a friend )

This is why even tho it may be a small thing, to take a random few Saturday's in the post office to fullfill a lifelong dream(? I know, I know...), I can't go there. I've got too much conditioning of my heart, because he/they are watching. And God is hoping I'll focus on the time I have with them.

Focusing on one's kids is a personal thing-- I remember one time riding with my Dad when I was an adult, we parked at a convenience store & a car pulled up beside us. We noticed there were little kids in the back seat, safely buckled, a mom & a dad. As the dad got out to go in, we noticed the music was a little louder, perhaps even not my first choice for kids, but we noticed they were all together. They were a family. They were kind to one another, & had what looked like a fun evening going. My Dad commented 'how nice it was to see a family- together.'

For me, it's picking up on subtle nuances or thoughts in our family's conversation. Tonight someone said 'Holy cow' in a sentence, and Jack said innocently, 'is that like a God cow?' He wasn't being silly... you know when you're kids are being silly. He really thought holiness is something we associate with godliness & God. So do I. I don't recommend to my children to use this phrase. Holiness is too sacred, our speech is to be with care.

I can't interpret what it looks like for another's family. You may even be able to balance work/home/kids in a way that really, in truly works for you. And glorifies God to the best of one's ability. You may really have no other choice. I may be there with you, dear sister, one day. But for us, right now, it involves me devoting myself to the task at hand. I've never been good at 'part-time' work. Before too long, I'm full-time on part-time pay or usually no pay. So for now, I'll sit tight, and hope that when graduation comes (from homeschool/private school or public school), the post office is still hiring geriatrics. Cuz that's just where I'll be.

Medieval Costumes

2010-09-12T18:43:00.001-07:00

Which would you pick? I think I'll go with the red tunic/gray skirt & yellow feather in my proper hat? I see some costumes on the horizon... I just can't help myself.

Typewriter's and Post Offices

2010-09-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon, the air is fresh, there is hope in the wind. The sun is not painful. It's refreshing. Fall, blessed fall. Thank you Lord, for this day. We are having quiet time. Husband sleeping, Jack playing legos, Henry playing trains. And me. I'm not in a swivet over houses, or other uncontrollables. My well(quite literally) has been low, and it has changed the status-quo in a few ways. When circumstances shift, when there is a sudden, unexpected alteration, a variable in the equation--

--- the perspective changes. (The well being low is only the beginning of 'variables' around here...just an excellent example... it effects everything we do.)

I enjoyed a visit to the post office the other day, learning from the clerk & one of the carriers in the office that the acres at the end/or should I say at the beginning of our route off the main highway, isn't going to be a new neighborhood, but a horse pasture. Cleared entirely for horses, not for tree-less 'mc-mansions'. Remember those days? When you would pass a cleared field and know within 2 months there would be 20 houses where the oaks of 'Oaklawn Subdivision' used to be? Those days are gone folks. The recession is here. Now those houses are going for nickles on the dollar. While shopping for houses, we see empty leftover beautiful homes, all the time. That's not even talking about the forclosure market. I'm just talking about the bank-owned builder leftovers. It's sad. And factual all at the same time. It's what happens when we want more. When a typewriter isn't good enough, and we have to be able to send our words to millions, much more quickly than a letter used to travel. When we want more than we need.

So I'm crafting a set of typewriter keys on a wooden board today. (a Pottery Barn Knock-off, plain & simple) remember I have lots of bare walls & my sister-in-law, Heidi, has already supplied the board. Just got to do it. She followed Susie Harris' instructions HERE. It could be said, I'm juse perpetuating the continued obsession with commercialism/ie: all things pottery barn, but I really, really like typewriters. And I think there's just alot of cute, homey things in pottery barn. I love their style. There, I said it.

Like most mom's across America/the world, I'm trying to reconcile dreaming & wanting with contentment, recreation, and doing one's very best. And often times, one's past just creeps up and creates a whole nuther set of expectations or guidelines you weren't expecting.

Back to the post office. There's a part-time fill in position available at the local post office. You know you are becoming your mother when a very spookily similar job comes available at about the same place in your life. You see, for a time my mom ran the small library in the train depot when we lived in Cordova, part-time mind you. At least that's what I remember. I just remember lots of hand stamps and cards, and the train depot windows. Here's the connection, or unexpected memory--all my life, I've wanted to work in the post office. Just ask my family. I participated in a field trip when I was a kid to the post office in Bowling Green KY, and that was it for me. I loved all those letters and stamps. the slots, the paper, the stacks of mail. It makes me think, at least of my Mom's part-time job. Of all those compartments, books, paper & stamps. Maybe not, maybe..

But there it is. That big temptation, to step back into the work world. The world where it all makes sense, order, cooperative people to work with. A function to perform that will be appreciated immediately, with a pay-check to boot!

You see this home-school, home-maker mom dreams of the outside world. And she knows herself a little too well, to think that it will only remain 1 day every 2 weeks. or so. ? Crack me up tho... it's not an interior design firm in Athens that's wooing me... it's a local small town post office. A simple ad in the local paper. And they don't even know how strongly I'm comparing them to the Sirens that tempted Jason.

Perhaps something will come of it, & I'll learn my community better, get to know people faster, have a morning or 2 off now and then. Off from my full-time job of wife & mother. The one that only I can do. It may not seem like much to you, perhaps, dear reader, this seems like an obvious no-brainer to you, but it's not for me. Some dreams don't make sense to others (the post office???)- yet, on a more serious note, a job outside my home for me is a slippery slope, -- what may be meat offered to idols, may be just meat to others. Just a window into the simple, yet surreal life I seem to be living right about now.

Well, must finish the typewriter key art before everyone wakes up!

photos: linked from 'Cordova, TN' found on Wikepedia.com

Cordova Elementary, where my brother attended before integration & busing changed our world.

Cordova Train Depot, where I played while my mother was part-time librarian.

Our Spiritual Heritage Bible Curriculum

2010-09-07T21:08:00.000-07:00

Some time ago, I worshipped with a church who utilized this program. The developers at JSC came and walked us through it, provided video for those who couldn't attend, and helped us understand exactly how life changing this could be for our church.
I am often reminded how our children need a solid foundation of Bible knowledge. And this curriculum provides it.
JSC is a small operation, but they are skilled and deeply devoted to the teaching of the Bible. If you have any desire to know your Bible, and have a better understanding of what happened when, and later why that is significant in the story of our spiritual heritage, then this is the curriculum for you. It is reasonably priced and has many areas of study for children.
I usually combine the outline/chronology cards with pictures for matching games & I got out my faithful children's coloring book to make the gazillion copies I use. I also did the unthinkable and cut up (yes for the 3rd time now) the pages from this Bible story book to create my own accessories for this fine material. The packages comes with all the necessaries, but I'm always looking for a way to help the non-reader get the story.
My favorite idea is to reduce the color pages, & make velcro on pictures to tell the facts on the chronology cards. We also use these as a concentration game. I'm working on getting my Mini-Patriarch cards up to dates for the months of September & October. We will be working through Advent in late November & December, so I want to have a smooth segway for that when the time comes.

Labor Day Weekend

2010-09-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

So we took the boys to the lake-- Hard Labor Creek State Park at Rutledge Lake. Ironic huh? We had a great time. Boy's went to their first and last for a while UGA game... wasn't quite as easy a day as an LSU game. I didn't attend. Not ready to sell my soul.. er... I mean, wear the local colors. I'm still in mourning. Henry was actually much more excited than he looks. That's just his happy/I'm really into this face.

Jack had a bike wreck, we schooled and we're sort of ready for this week ahead. As much as you can be when you've had a Monday holiday.

But today I remembered: 'I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." and I knew I could make it.

Everyday Homeschooling

2010-09-01T04:46:00.000-07:00

Our schoolroom hasn't changed much, and like most folks we wind up at the kitchen table anyway. Jack is studying the Medieval period at Master's Academy one day a week, so we're doing activities & reading right along with the program. He's trying to work with gold leaf here in this picture, and although our technique isn't accurate, he loved it. Exposure is the key here. He can tell you anything that is included in the Story of the World about the chapters we've covered.

Meanwhile we've been celebrating birthday's (one more shot of 'day of birthday celebrating'). We stopped at Ike & Jane's for some incredible donuts. Henry went classic with chocolate & sprinkles. Jack had Resee's Peanut butter donut (yuck). He licked his plate.

We continue to press on with house hunting, for as much as this house is beautiful, it is not for us. The blessing is realizing this while renting. I won't go into all the details, but the stumper for me is the hesitancy to stick stuff on the walls. I'm not just talking about decorating, although I've done some of that. But the hanging of poster's, charts, timelines. Must say, it's killing me. I'm a pointer... one who points to reference while teaching. And in my mind, the bigger the better. We're getting to a critical boiling over, and then I'm reminded of our rental status by a call that the house will be shown tomorrow before lunch. This is a good thing. But annoying only, only, only because keeping a house clean while having 2 boys, 1 dad, 1 dog & and only 1 mom with 'the vision' of a clean house is taxing.

OK, sob story over. Thankful for COOL weather! It's beautiful.

Birthday's, Spaghetti & a Kitchen Pic

2010-08-24T17:25:00.000-07:00

So August brings us 2 birthday's, Henry is now 4 & Jack is now 7. It is an unforgettable month for us. It's a longer celebration than my mother's day & birthday weekend marathon.

We are slowly working our way into being at home here in our rental house. I keep reading over at 'The Nester' how you have to make your home, even if it's a temporary rental, your own home.

You really have to check out her ideas. She's so creative and endless on positive attitude. And her decor... well, just check it out.

And while we're on the subject, I'm sure you're noticing my 'teal' laminate counter-top. and lots of it. This is the kitchen that goes on for miles. I literally get a work-out in here. Way too many stops beyond the classic 'work tri-angle'. The floors are tile that was made for homeruns. I slip and slide on the slightest drop of water. But the color really doesn't bother me. Actually its a relief from all the white walls. In person, this kitchen is pleasant. With all my chatchki's and pitchers(girls, I never got rid of those when you unpacked me at Kensington.)

But color takes on a whole 'nuther meaning when you visit the beautiful blog,

Fly Through Our Window.

If you've EVER rehabbed, you must go look at this rehab. This one is really award winning. I'm SO not kidding. I looked at EVERY room & post. Really, really great job & excellent perspective on our earthly homes.

Folks, this world really isn't our home. Even if it's as well rehabbed & decorated as

this one.

Spaghetti sauce recipe is one for another post, but it will follow. I'll be transcribing from a full sheet from B'lou. Seriously good spaghetti.

Laundry on a Monday - Life-Meds #30

2010-08-16T05:40:00.000-07:00

(that title sounds like a Magic Tree House book doesn't it?)

I spend alot of time doing laundry. So eventually, I get around to decorating our laundry room, wherever, and for however long. It just eventually happens. I used to put things that 'didn't fit anywhere else'. And then I realized, I spend half my life in this room. And now it's up there on the make it nicer list. As I scrolled the net today, I came across a redo of a laundry closet that was amazing. Big punch with just some paint. Be sure to click over to see how cute.

You may remember my old one in BR(pict). Our current one has lots of storage & I'm working on a simple plan for the new.

This same post above was the day I accepted the challenge to Count One Thousand Gifts.

I've been so busy county my 'done me wrongs' I just haven't had the time(gasp). One might say that's just stupid. It is stupid. Because gratitude is the medicine of the soul. It really draws you to God and to see what God has in store, what God's choice of blessing is. Trusting in Him, and not being anxious sounds simple enough. But it can be challenging. Even when desires have come to fruition. So-- thankful, I'll be today. I promised you Marla. & I'm keeping my word.

Life-Meds # 30

206-229

hand-me-overs from a friend (clothes for kids)

care package from my mom

love from a new church family

laundry to fold

a husband who can iron -- & does

a husband who grills -- & does

comfortable place to call home

fresh water

cherries

books written by seasoned homeschooler's

amazing curriculum that's interesting to me

coffee

rain

friends who encourage & share ideas, thoughts, cares, concerns, faith

Must go get on with the day, but the Life-meds are better than any vitamin I could have bought on the shelf. better than the coffee. But the day has started, & I better catch up.

Join others at A Holy Experience counting One Thousand Gifts.

Thank you, Jim Weiss & Susan Wise Bauer

2010-08-11T19:29:00.000-07:00

To say this has been a rough move is an understatment. Tidal wave, tsunami, hurricane like change. Unexpected emotions, obstacles, and that dirth of void that follows where there was once, even, too much 'to do'. Oh we're busy, that's for sure. Watching the plants in the garden 'cook'. (I feel like I'm hydroponic gardening--on accident). Busy ignoring the plastic pool, busy standing in front of the fridge wondering if any new food has grown in there. Busy trying to find that lost piece of paper that you notice being torn to shreds & eaten by Henry. Busy retrieving phonics practice cards stolen from their safe spot, while I'm changing the laundry.
Enter 2 very welcome guests. Jim & Susan ride with us everywhere now. If you've explored or are currently using Susan Wise Bauer's 'The Story of the World' you can appreciate what a great foundation this is just in the reading & workbooks. But we've needed some assistance. The cd's of the books are just the ticket for our long car rides. Oh we've been listening to many, many 'Rabbit Ear's' stories, but SOW is what I need to be reading to him. So in good measure, he's hearing it.
We were also blessed by my friend Leslie with a precious gift of cd. The Chronicles of Narnia - the dramatic version. Oh my-- these are wonderful. and inspiring. Jack was playing 'The Boy and the Horse' today. Can you imagine what went through his mind???
We're narrowing the house search. Our digs are temporary, and the months are flying by.

Homeschooling - Resources for a Classical Approach

2010-08-02T20:05:00.000-07:00

Recently I read about a book I haven't read on the subject of classical education. The Core, if you are unfamiliar is a descriptive resource book like The Well Trained Mind or Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning, but it appears more to be a mom who like myself thought there was a better way, and then uncovered the answers to her concerns. Unlike myself, she is a seasoned front-runner in the homeschool world, where as, I feel like a back-door classical educator sometimes. It's nice sometimes to reaffirm the reasons I'm 'going to all the trouble'. She captures many of my thoughts, while laying out her pattern for a practical effort at something that can sound very overwhelming at times.

Another series I'm enjoying along with the boys is The Story of The World on CD. We are utilizing Vol. 1 for the summer wrap up of Ancient history. Jack will start at Master's Academy in a week, a one day program which supplements homeschooling. He will start with the Medieval period, which I wish was the Ancient, but I am assured will be worth my time effort & money. I have only heard excellent things about this program. I think it will be good for the whole family, & for Jack in particular. 2 books I'm also using for Ancients I saw along with this when I ordered it. One is an Ancient Science book. Modern simple activities, with ancient connections. Very cool. I also ordered the Pocket book manual for Ancient cultures. Sometimes creative people just need it spelled out. Right now that'd be me.

The cd's are useful as we ride from the country to the city. And the other items are just rounding out a great summer of ancient studies on a pre-1st level.

We plan to continue withThe Story of the World along with variety of references & materials on the Medieval period that are available. I feel like I'm rushing the recommended order of what WTM by Susan Wise Bauer, suggests. ( who also wrote SOTW). But I'm working with resources at my disposal here locally. I can't turn back the clock of time, & it's going to work out fine no matter. (I wish he could have had Ancient @ Master's Academy before having Medieval) More resource discussion to follow.

Just a quick update on what consumes me in these last days of summer.

Family Birthday's

2010-07-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

The birthday boy... my nephew Noah, had a special request.... movie & his favorite mexican restaurant. We all enjoyed a super afternoon, with all the family & friends who mean so much.
Rituals show up in the funniest places. We've been to this mexican restaurant more times than I can count, & I hope there are more to come.
This photo is taken in the spot we photo the kids, all 4 precioius, together with their ritual baloons, after their ritual taco/enchilada/double beans/double rice/mild salsa dinners.
Sprite, please.
Life is good. The little things mean the world to 'little guys' as we call them, affectionately.

August is almost here... Jack will be 7, Henry will be 4. And today we had a beautiful day.

Count your life by smiles, not tears.

Count your life by friends, not years.

Bible Museum near Memphis TN

2010-07-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

Smithsonian is advertising Museum Day 2010. There are numerous locations of great interest I'd visit if time, schedule & money all came together, but one I will be visiting come mid-August is one I've been to before, in fact several times.

The Biblical Resource Center & Museum is an excellent resource for historical point of reference for the Bible and all things related to the Bible. Their objective is to make the Bible more visual, more relatable regarding the world history that is widely available through secular museums. That's not their official museum statement- it's mine. I have benefitted greatly from the museums collection of Biblically significant replicas made available through such resources as the British Museum. The kind that make the skeptics sit back and take a sip of their frappacino, so someone else might comment first.

Leslie & I are meeting up in Collierville come mid-August, to visit and to celebrate our kiddo's b'days which happen to fall 5 days apart. She asked me, 'what should I do to prepare for a visit to the museum?'... I hadn't thought about this, I'm usually running errands with my Mom when I run to the museum. I might be dropping off lunch to my Dad, or running down to see B'Lou. and I often run into Jacob Shock the new Executive Director, who's credentials in Egyptology bring a whole 'nuther level of excellence to an already rockin' staff devoted to serving God through an unusual venue. But one open to all denominations & faiths, determined in their efforts to hold up and give testimony to God's Holy Word. It's accuracy, it's infalibility, it's relevance to a world standing in need.

So what did I tell Leslie? Look up their website, then read the Biblical accounts of the stories represented in the artifacts. Read about Jehu, read about Pilate, read about the Assyrians, read about the Moabites, the languages represented on the Rosetta. Then these little artifacts which may otherwise look less impressive to a 7 year old might be more significant & more memorable.

There is also an exhibit which explains How We Got the Bible.

Call ahead and schedule a group trip, or just drop by. Visit the only Bible Museum on a town square in America. You won't be disappointed.

Other attractions in the Memphis area well documented, but on the Collierville Square, there are some pleasant restaurants, amazing shops, & a beautiful park to relax. Trains line the opposite side of the square, and if you play your cards right, I think the ice cream stand that also serves super yummy burgers is down a side street, just behind the former mayor's office. (the gas station on the East side of the square).

Homeschool Classroom Preview

2010-07-16T05:37:00.000-07:00

Well, we are about 2 weeks away from the official start of 1st Grade. Last year was 'the year that would be Kindergarten'. And this year started well, as soon as Kindergarten ended, about May.

We moved May 1. And it's taken all of 2 months to sort out books, make arrangements for supplemental classes, decide what Jack's education would look like in our new environment & home. I read at Simply Charlotte Mason yesterday, and Educating the Whole Hearted Child, as well as chatted with some of the other mom's at Homeschool Tae Kwon Do class. These are some great gals, with experience here locally & convictions similar to mine. What a blessing.

Anway, I won't try to spell out the details today, but I did get the bare minimum pulled together in regard to books, where we'll store his books, and expanded into the storage area that is our central living room(we don't have furniture to fill it up yet, so the boxes just sit).

Craigslist produced an excellent sofa & large chair last week for $150 that if I'd only had a truck, I'd have long since been lounging on them. Never-the- less, I'll keep scanning & my cheap-dream furniture will appear. It always does.

I've temporarily borrowed Jack's desk to sew a 1 piece quilt for Henry. We did paint his bed and when I have 3 more items on the wall, I'll post the before & after of the boy's room. Working on a camp/frontier style room that doesn't have scooby doo anywhere. You'll see-- just give me a couple more days.

Ok, drumroll for the pictures that must be lumped together because I can't seem to post pictures in a more reader friendly fashion. By the way, the view from the desk out the back door offered a glimpse of a doe & a fawn a couple of days ago. There are too many walls in that room with little natural light, but I've tried to utilize it so we maximize what's available. Can't believe I'm going to show you the stuff (including homeschool materials) still in boxes stored in our living room! The room with the sofa is our family room, that has a view on the garden & slip-n-slide yard. Looks a little sparse, but I'm holding back on decorating... it's a rental you know. I don't paint rentals & I'll just have to pack it all back up. It's warmer than it really looks.

Bluegrass, 4th of July, & a Confession

2010-07-10T05:03:00.000-07:00

So it was a country 4th of July, parades with horses & big trucks, bands and Boy Scouts, re-enactors & church floats. We found ourselves at a wonderful party after church on Sunday where Henry got to ride his first donkey. Well he was actually able to sit on the donkey after he decided he was 'done'. Stubborn they are. I made chocolate pies with my mother's secret recipe from Dimple Clouse. (wish I could share). I called it my 'First Try, Lumpy Pie'. But it tasted good.

Confession time... my boys held chickens for the first time, before I did. That's right, all my chicken talk has been, well, hypothetical. We are almost there, almost chicken owners. And I've never even held one, till July 3, 2010. You think about it, those legs can be a little intimidating. But these sweet girls were just precious, gentle, soft. I've died and gone to chicken heaven. I have to admit, I kept noticing how it felt like that package of chicken in the grocery, but I have no qualms about the chickens being used for a tasty Sunday dinner. For Jack, the jury is still out. He continues to suggest we could just keep them for eggs. I don't argue. He's a precious boy. The look on Henry's face really says it all. He was completely taken with chickens, horses, ponies, pigs(which I handled well through all the squealing & screaming.)He's a farm boy, and he didn't even know it.

These guys(below) played and played unthwarted by the loud trains that would pass right in the middle of their playing. Eric works with one of the fellows in the band. They had a wonderful sound and an even better message.

So we find ourselves mid July, looking forward to school. I'm excited for the seasons to change, to see fall leaves. Have pumpkins and wear a sweater. Read 'If You Give a Moose a Muffin.' Yep, I'm ready for Fall. But birthday's are just around the corner, so I better wait till August has come & gone before shifting gears. Feeling so blessed. So thankful.

Adjusting takes Time Lifetime Meds #29

2010-07-05T06:00:00.001-07:00

It's been 2 months since we made our big move to Georgia. What seemed like a plane crash landing with sparks coming off the plane, is now beginning to seem much more, well, peaceful.

We find ourselves 'missing home', wearing familiar colors, (on UGA's campus no less-- totally on accident), and then we find ourselves pulling out a 'Dawgs' shirt and not thinking anything of that either.

We just keep walking the path, trying not to sit down. That's life isn't it. Some days it happens so naturally, some days are a struggle, full of unfamiliar. Then one day it looks a little more like 'home'.

191-205

blueberry patches

fresh corn

new friends

welcoming gifts

blessed worship with christians

kids playing with kids

Tae Kwon Do class & camp

foster parents for kids in need

fireworks

good food

riding in the back of a pick-up

magnets for fetching keys down a drain in a parking lot(yes this happened...)

petting zoos with chickens & pigs

4th of July parades

fresh laundry

LIfetime Meds #29 Counting so I won't miss the blessings so abundant.

Galatians 6:7-10

'Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all , especially to those who are of the household of faith.'

Some Fun Summer Read Alouds - June

2010-06-25T05:33:00.000-07:00

Georgia seems to have an amazing library system. As I understand if I have a request for a special book, say one on a homeschool reading list that may not regularly be shelved on my local branch, I can request it from ANY branch in the state. Really. The on-line services for my new card are excellent, well done & easy to use. Tools for any avid reader.

Our most recent visit to the library was our smaller local branch. I re-fell in love with the library. It is small but not tiny. Book selection was amazing in the kids department. The librarian brought back memories when the librarians were happy to help you, and were not frustrated by the number of people only there to use the internet.

A book recently mentioned to me by fellow Tae Kwon Do mom spurred me on to collect a pile of books that we could read together during the hot days of June. A Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease is an excellent resource for parents & teachers, with an amazing amount of research regarding the impact of reading aloud. I had bought this just before we moved & I dug through everybox I hadn't opened yet to find it. Laura (TKD Mom) said it was a MUST READ. & I think she's right. He has an informative website with articles that he mentions in the book. His research is extensive, (not like my 6th grade reading report on horses.) His main focus seems to me to provide inspiration for the lifelong love of reading. He doesn't negate phonics or providing the tools, but has the handle on necessity to inspire by exposure & immersion in reading.

His stories about helping communities who lack resources will get your juices stirring if your looking for ways to give back.

So what did we pick out after becoming more motivated to read aloud? Books on creatures & outdoors seemed to be the theme, and sounds in the night.

I take literally the instructions to read books that appeal to me ('if it doesn't appeal to you do you really think it will appeal to them?) and consider also that boys like wild rough and tumble books too( not all wildflowers and butterflies.) I also realize they don't need endoctrination or an education in coming up with 'icky' stuff on their own. I don't buy or check out disgusting books. Ever.

So here's some fun fiction story books. We loved them all.

My Truck is Stuck (excellent & fun predictability) (thanks Leslie)

Two Bad Ants (amazing illustrations & real life ant-action)

Alan Lee, Leave that Cricket Be!(follows our Ancient History exposure theme as well, and is helping the kids understand why you can't keep bugs in jars overnight)

The House in the Night(amazing illustrations, poetic, beautiful)

Stellaluna(classic, informative for us as we have bats around our house, by author of Verdi, one of our favorites)

The Snail House (just looked to sweet to pass up)

EEK! CREAK! SNICKER! SNEAK! (boys, noises, icky characters, hillarious)

Big Day on the River(librarian's selection for story time, very cute)

Me First(we just need this book sometimes, and the illustrations are sooo cute)

The Book of Dragons(numerous ancient stories & some good classic stories, some intensity tho)

I'm sure we'll find some more before the summer's over.

Our regular read-aloud besides Bible reading is The Year at Maple Hill Farm.

Can't wait to see what July brings in the way of books.

What books have you enjoyed with kids this summer?

Why I love my husband... Lifetime Meds #28

2010-06-20T12:19:00.001-07:00

Even after fussing at each other all the way to church on Father's Day... I still think he's the best Dad in the world.

He takes the kids on adventures I might not otherwise.

My husband poses like this in his office, when he takes us for a tour.

He puts the tub toys back in order, with style. He also poses action figures all over the house for the kids to find.

He orders the kids movies like 'Little Rascals' 'Sinbad' & '3 Stooges' that I would never buy.

He's not 'a big kid' or a 'kid at heart'. He just wants the kids to be happy, have a laugh, & enjoy life's experiences. He's one great Dad, rolling with life's punches, enjoying each day.

So thankful am I. Even if we drive eachother crazy along the way. Happy Father's Day, Babe. I am proud of and grateful for you.

#187-#190 One Thousand Gifts, Counting with others at A Holy Experience.

Reverence - Lifetime Meds #27

2010-06-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

Teaching kids to pray... hmmm. Right now, Henry has the motions down, but our content is really, mmm, questionable. 'Thankyou God for Godzilla, & Scooby Doo, and let us go to the big pool tomorrow that's really deep, AAAAmen." And there you have it. And during someone else praying... he's praying, sort of speaking in 'Henry tongues'. A prayer unto itself, loudly enough so that he can't hear you say, 'it's not your turn to pray.' This kid will not be denied....

Enter our discussion about reverence. We've been struggling with alot of changes, so we're playing alot of catch up on alot of different issues. Currently, reverence in prayer & chain of command are the 2 biggies.

Praying what's on your heart is one thing, but the silly stuff just doesn't cut it. Afterall, we're talking to the Creator of the Universe, and even tho this is Abba FAther, there are still issues of what's appropriate & courtesy, and it is my job to teach it. Canned prayers are not what I'm suggesting, but respect during someone else praying or using it for a platform for power & control. Not going to happen.

I don't worry about my children's faith in God. God is big, bigger than I can ever describe Him, but my confidence & seriousness about Who He Is speaks volumes. Am I serious, respectful, but trusting enough to even laugh when I'm happy & thankful? Do I share my joy over good times to my Father in Heaven, who I believe watches me while I do whatever my hand finds to do? Do I stop the tears just because I may not be able to speak the words if I cry?

Perceiving the difference-- is my prayer & request to God just now. Wisdom to parent well. Not perfectly, but well.

Reverently thankful to the Giver of all for:

#177 Rivers in which to play, with slippery rocks & breathtaking views

#178 Brave children

#179 Strong Husband

#180 time to enjoy it

#181 health to carry me through the day

#182 worship & fellowship with believers in Christ

#183 God's strength to carry me through during transition

#184 Christ who redeemed me and made me presentable before God

#185 Opportunity & a bright future

#186 a lesson today on Psalm 1 & Psalm 15

Join me with others at A Holy Experience in thanksgiving for One Thousand Gifts.

I call it my Lifetime Meds, (dose #27)

Be blessed, friend. ('blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly... but who meditates on the Word of God day & night... he will be like the tree who is planted by the waters.' Psalm 1 loosely paraphrased)

School & Summer

2010-06-12T05:02:00.000-07:00

This fall Jack will attend a program (1 day a week) that will focus it's activities on one particular time period. This year the students will focus on the Medieval period, so this summer we're enjoying a little catch-me-up on Ancient History. We've been using Victor Journey through The Bible to guide our Bible study, and are utilizing fun books like The Magic Tree House (Pompeii) to stimulate our mental time-line's so he's got a handle on 'what came first' & a little bit of the why. It has become extremely interesting to me to consider that Ancient people had a perspective highly influenced by the Flood rather than the appearance & life of Christ. Consider how that would change one's outlook on God.

He has also been participating in Tae Kwon Do training, with a group of other homeschool kids. And I would have to say this has been a great thing for us. I have met several other moms & Jack has begun to learn a skill, in a healthy group setting. The instructors of the school take their influence in the program very seriously. This is a martial arts school afterall. They are not 'buddies' they are called by their surnames. (Mrs.& Mr.) The tenets of the program include character elements I can stand by, and hope that he will embody. Courtesy is the first level, which is a great foundation for teaching a potentially dangerous skill. In conjunction with this new element of our activities, we found ourselves going to see the new movie 'Karate Kid', with Jayden Smith & Jackie Chan. (Wow... haven't seen a 'rocky' style movie in a while that I allowed myself to get totally sucked into!) It's rating is there for a reason. There are themes that young children will not be able to digest, and the martial arts is what it is. The bullying factor has in its arsenal potentially fatal moves. But, the message is positive. The good guy just doesn't win, but he doesn't quit, he conquers his fear, he chooses to embrace the art learning from a teacher that teaches self-control, not the control & dominance of others.

It's not a perfect movie, there is a scene including an adult allowing themselves to wallow in pain while intoxicated, to be pulled out of the moment by a young child. Really? The child stumbled into it(he wasn't supposed to train that day), but it was a really tough scene to explain. I didn't shy away from this, but its a tough one to explain while you're waiting for the championship match(in a quiet theatre). In my opinion it is a very telling unintentional commentary on our society. Our kids are called on to handle so much more than they should. Even if its their own parents caving into going to see a movie way over their head, just so they can see the 'Karate Kid'. Guilty as charged.

So we've seen the Karate Kid. And what to do now. Just like approaching the idols in Canaan, we'll talk about beliefs that influence the country of China, & read some fables & folk tales.

We read Lon Po Po, the chinese version of the story of Little Red Riding Hood.

We also read the The Funny Little Woman (Japanene) who wound up meeting with the Spirits after she followed rice dumpling down a cavern in her floor. Yeah, you heard me. It reminded me of the book One Grain of Rice, a mathematical folktale, with a precious moral of generosity.

But this is ancient history. Realizing there were other cultures besides the Children of Israel, and their lives were meaningful & full of culture & influence is important especially considering the activities like Tae Kwon Do which lean heavily upon them.

One added blessing of being a part of the TKD school, is the summer camps offered. One of the homeschool Mom's who has children enrolled has added an additional feature to the camps by reading a series called The Five Ancestors written by Jeff Stone. These feature different characters & a unique moral dilemma. On top of the related skills activities about the culture related to the book will be included. Jack will be participating in the week of The Crane. I can't wait!

We are working on some outside activities although our hopes are still to build our homestead with chickens & maybe even horses. Things that will probably keep us at home more than we are now. But just having moved, we need to connect with the outside & meet people. Build our infrastructure. So that's what we'll do for now. The garden grows, the baby birds keep us busy(regularly falling out of their nest), and until we get back from Florida visiting Poppa, we'll wait on the chickens. Till then, I'm headed to our local Farmer's Market to get some summer produce.

On my errands today...

2010-06-11T04:49:00.000-07:00

saw these delightful places. Looks like a great start to the weekend to me. Hope you enjoy yours.

Raw Milk & My Rights to Drink It

2010-06-05T01:30:00.000-07:00

Land of the free-- home of the brave... this is where I get annoyed at our great country. Food issues. Perhaps I'm channeling my great Uncles who were dairy farmers in Springfield but this urks me.

I was reading a New Life on a Homestead about a recent case in Springfield, MO, about a family undergoing legal battles regarding selling fresh, left-over pre-ordered raw milk in a parking lot. Go here(article above) and here to read more.

Kendra I believe captures it when she quotes the powers that be in regard to this. 'There is no fundamental right to consume the food of one's choice...' Kendra found this is from the Food and Drug Administration, regarding the consumption of raw milk. I can't weigh in personally on raw milk, but as a Buy Local supporter, this bothers me. Alot.

After watching, Food Inc. which is a documentary about the food industry & it's hold on people in our country, I began to see how vital regulation is to the big industry. If people (like me) are willing to eat what is in a twinkie/zinger/coke/cheerios, we need 'big brother' to watch over our feeble minds, especially involving the consumption of foods like meat(see the movie regarding a particular piece of legislation regarding meat). But isn't that the point? If we are supporting local food, which is beneficial for so many healthier reasons, we won't need either of these. The twinkies or the administration that deems them healthy. These folks with their raw milk are not feeble minded. And they are selling to a group of individuals that have taken responsibility for their food choices & I'm sure their way of life. As it stands now, they are facing up to 180 days in jail for this infraction. For being practical. Resourceful. And actually teaching their kids through a family business how to be responsible contributors to their community. Seems like there are better things to do with taxpayer dollars than bother these folks.

You can your support & donate at Facebook.

If you want to read more about another independent free-thinking farmer, read about Joel Salatin in this article at Mother Earth News titled 'Everything He Wants to Do is Illegal.' These farmers need our support if we want options in our food choices. Find your local CSA or farmer's market perhaps listed here. Vote with your dollar.

Stand by Your Man

2010-06-02T04:51:00.001-07:00

This is a repost, but thought it was worth sharing. I added a couple of resource links.

Go here to read 'Stand by Your Man'.

Be blessed today Walking with Him.

Thankful - Honoring Those Who Serve Our Country

2010-05-31T05:03:00.000-07:00

Jack asked me last week, 'What happens to soldiers killed in battle who aren't in their homestate, or if they don't know who they are?' I was proud to be able to tell him about places like Normandy & The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

I hope that he will understand in his little boy heart that although the wars and battles are interesting & exciting to his male psyche, they come at a costly price. Freedom isn't free. It's painful for those who lose a precious loved one. In wars like WWII, I believe evil was kept at bay, history was altered by men & women who sacrificed everything, even on the homefront-- it was never far from their thoughts or the impact on their day to day lives.

While men & women are abroad even now, while there are those who are presently involved in protecting our country, I will give thanks for them & their families. I will be thankful again for those who have gone before & given of themselves in this way.

Lifemeds #26 -

176 Vetrans on this Memorial Day

Counting with others at the Gratitude Community- visit Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

Boy Scouts & Girls Scouts across America are placing flags on graves of fallen soldiers. This is a video of the National Cemetary in Marietta, Ga. Beautiful Song.

As we decide where to worship...

2010-05-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

... I was reminded about thoughts shared by Edie @ Life in Grace in a post called 'Deeds not Creeds?'

Since moving, we have experienced 3 different churches, and 3 different experiences. What struck me about the worship was my impression of the people, the public worship & their interest in honoring God or the 'deeds', or even the display of the belief in a creed. Don't read to much into that, don't even try to figure out where or when. But do go to Edie's post, and read. I think Edie has really hit on something. No surprise... Edie's been reading. Alot.

Creed is a 'charged' word amongst those with whom I have worshipped for 43 years. You will hear it said commonly, 'we have no creed but God's holy Scripture.' Edie's post made me think about this word, so for myself I have looked it up....

Creed

1. statement of beliefs- formal summary of the principles of christian beliefs.

2. religion - a set of religious beliefs.

3. set of principles - any set of beliefs or principles.

synonyms - faith, doctrine, dogma, beliefs, creedo, article of faith.

I would have to say, one drawback to being of one particular denomination- for a long period of time, is that other groups tend to be lumped together, demonized even(horrors), for behaviors, beautiful demonstrations/actions of faith-- deeds or demonstration of their creed-- that they see directly from that same holy Revelation- God's inspired Word. That may sound naive, but think about it...(if you've known me forever, don't just wonder if I'm having a mid-life-crisis.)

If you've been traveling down the same familiar path, like myself, for sometime, think about it? Do you see other members of Christendom as your allies? or ... ? Are your discussions based on differences or places of strength in unity in faith? What happens when you've thought outside your regular parameters, but within what you believe God is pleased?

One opinion I have developed is-- christians all over are really, really examining their creed & demonstration thereof. More & more folks I meet are looking at what they really believe and how they want to spend the next years of their life in conjunction to their faith & coporate worship & religion. Perhaps it is the folks I'm talking to, those looking for simplicity, or answers even the careful homeschooler asks when it doesn't work out like they hoped & planned. (see # 5 ''what must I be/not what must I do')

Beliefs and creeds are not only demonstrated within the walls of a place of worship... If they are our creed, our real beliefs, it effects all areas of our life. It is our life.

'Amens' on this one are not requested, ... really, just thoughts that may have crossed your mind as this Sunday moves into a 3 day weekend for some.

Blessed Memorial Day- tomorrow-- blessed remembrance, today of the Ultimate Giver--

Phillipians 2:8

"Being found in the form of a man, he humbled Himself and became obedient,

even to death on the cross."

(for me)

Cleaning out fabric... what to do?

2010-05-28T04:56:00.000-07:00

I am a packrat. I'm sure some of you can relate. But I have 'cleaned out' so much already, so many times... What to do with old fabric that I know I just won't use.... that's almost blasphemy around me. Any fabric can be used, but right now, it's just not a part of my life, to sew or create with fabric. If it sits too long, it becomes really dated & well, isn't fresh. Nobody enjoys it. Claire is sure that I'll never finish her quilt and at this point, she won't want to use it. It's just too.....dated.

I really love fabrics like these at Moda, & have one group of squares that would make an amazing quilt. Vanessa at V&Company is always making amazing things, shares tutorials & also sells them at Etsy. Be sure to visit the Moda Bakeshop if you sew.

Lifemeds #25 - Moving Can be ...

2010-05-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

Moving has become an unwelcome friend. Several times in college is an understatment, and 4 big moves from state to state as a kid. This prepares you for alot of life's challenges, creates a whole set of skills, you hope you never need, but often do. But it also numbs out a part of your heart, that just takes longer everytime to heal. It's kinda like scar tissue.

I used to be a 'cryer'. You know the girl you don't want to look at when something emotional happens at church. Yeah, that used to be me. Perhaps after 2 kids & a few years of marriage, it's just not quite as 'at the surface'. I have only found myself 'on the floor', a couple of times since we've moved. I think because this time, I really knew it was permanent. I tried to really say goodbyes well, be sure people know how much I love them. I cried alot with friends, because of friends, on my way to the grocery, in the grocery before we moved. When we came back from finding a house, I saw millions of LSU reminders & everytime, I would get choked. I've never been 'a fan', of anyteam. But bonding over simple things, remembering fun times, watching National championships for the 'hometeam' you can hear play from your front yard at a bowl game on national tv...

Now I'm listening to crickets, birds, boys romping, less tv(only dvd's), lots of music... Finding bird's nest all over my yard. It's a change. Change can be good. Change shakes things up. But sometimes, its just exausting. You find yourself sitting staring at the same stack of boxes, tripping over them, cursing the clutter of our lives, pictures, china you never get to use anyway, excess coffee makers.

All My Stuff is finally under one roof for the first time in 4 years. When we moved the last time to BR, we thought we'd only be there for 3 months. 4 years later, almost to the day, we moved with a whole 'nuther plan. I knew it would be a very long time before I could brace myself for a long trip back to see precious friends(perhaps not that long, Martha), but I'd have alot of things to sort out when I got here.

We just unloaded the final things, (did the final cry) in the old house. The house where we brought Jack home. Where I sat in corners praying for a child to adopt. Where I sat wondering if that tree was going to fall on our house, and did it. 2 times, and then the retro-termite damage repair. And then I saw the hydrangea's I'd planted to obscure the ugly gas meter. All I could do was cut some of it's blooms & hope they made it home without browning too badly. ...

Well there, I've had a good cry. But I'm thankful for feeling that way. Missing things. Having things, memories, friends to remember & for which to be thankful.

I can see God's timing, His blessing in so many things. We needed to keep our house for alot of reasons, not sell it, even tho it was a mortgage to carry( not the least of which was our adoption status in our home state.) When the market tanked, we still weren't sure it if it wasn't going to be our home. When we knew it wasn't, we slapped that sucker on the market & 12 days later had a contract. Blessing. Prayers answered. It made the transition, even tho still loaded with emotion and challenge, that much easier. One of the 2 things married folks argue about just loosened it's choke hold on our sense of peace. We could just focus on our house where we actually live. I don't take this for granted. So many folks are choking on life's unexpected financial challenges right now.

Thankful today for :

151 cardinal birds nest with 3 eggs

152 phoebe bird's nest above light

153 Jack being home - he always knew he was from Georgia

154 SEC conversation with friends about LSU, UofF, Georgia & Alabama.

155 Nana watching kids

156 Heidi watching kids

157 Uncle Mike, no doubt, watching kids

158 my morning coffee

159 internet that helps us look for our 'forever' home

160 a potential closing on our house, before the next payment is due

161 Eric's job that he loves

162 Martha's house that 'closed'

163 Jeannie's new house she found the day we moved

164 Kristi's house in TN that Eden loves

165 new aquaintences with common goals & interests

166 Jack's 'enhancement' course for fall

167 Jack's Tae Kwon Do class with other homeschoolers

168 A great lesson yesterday about Joshua's challenge for the Israelites to serve Yaweh, alone

169 hydrangeas

170 blow-up swimming pools that fit in your car

171 memories of Jeannie's boy's dragging our old pool down the street to it's new home

172 chow-chow relish from Burger's market

173 seeing snakes in the road while driving & not by my foot when walking

174 the Sandy Creek Nature Center

175my new washer & dryer (we went old school, more on that later)

Go over to visit Ann Voskamp and many others who are remembering to count one thousand gifts. I love seeing friends there. I believe it really does make the world a better place.

For me it's medication for my soul. Lifemeds #25