December 2015 - Lifemeds #50

I was encouraged this week to continue traditions. And longevity, consistency, even with break-down, will render a few traditions. The good kind.
For two years now, we have anticipated, waited in the box office line early in the morning, and gotten ourselves ready on a Saturday night, to head down to the Athens Symphony's free performance of a Christmas Concert. This opportunity is beyond amazing. It is a fully orchestrated, exquisitely divine effort on behalf of a wonderfully talented group of musicians, accompanied by the equally talented,Athens Chorus. The first half of the performance is more somber with a first half closing performance Handel's 'Messiah'- the Chorus portion. I knew I could pass on to glory after I'd managed somehow to get my hoolilgan bunch to this moment in our lives. To hear and stand with my family during this is a taste of heaven for me.
This year, we were treated to 'For Unto us a Child is Given', along with many other more traditional carols.
Inspired to connect and synthesize by my reading this summer, we continued to listen Pandora, from a channel called 'Frederic Handel'. Delight is mine. Over the next few days, I'll read passages from The Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader, by Donna W. Payne and Fran Lenzo.

Most of our traditions, often painfully endured by active boys, are paving and smoothing their souls. Mine and my dear husband's too, but seeing them give in, listen even briefly. And hear them draw comparisons between this and last year. My joy is complete.

Another tradition, happening for much longer, is that of savoring in a variety of ways, Charles Dicken's, Christmas Carol. The text we have is a copy I picked up in an antique store. The illustrations are amazing. So detailed, showing Marley's horrifying teeth, and ghosts in an unforgettable way.
We have watched Jim Carey's/Disney's, 'A Christmas Carol' as well as the Star Trek Captain's version. And I'm sure from the reading, their comparision's were not favorable. It seemed in this version, Scrooge was less frightened than he was annoyed by the ghost of Marley. But everything but that is perfect in that scene. Even as Marley approaches the window the sash rises, just as it says in the book. The mother and her child are in the street, and was mentioned by Jack to be accurate as the ghost tried to give them a treasure chest, but could not.
A few years ago, in a December, Eric gave what we call in our faith tradition, 'the invitation', to give one's life to Christ, be reconciled publically to His body. He referred to this passage, 'It is required of everyman......', to walk among and consider his fellowman. Deeply, a passage from which every person may draw.
Life-meds #50
~blessings which I may manage.
~needs sufficiently met
~community
~home
~health
~a sovereign and faithful God
~a Savior who seeks those who seek Him.

Reading 2015 - Commonplace Book

When you stumble upon something good you want to share.
For nearly 20 years, I've been chatting daily with my best friend about everything.
The day we first moved apart, we simply said, 'I'll talk to you tomorrow.' And we have.
Changes haven't altered our conversation. While my kiddos, both, got on the bus, I had talked her into Classical Conversations. We talked on. When hers went for a year to public school, we honored each other's schedules and broke our unspoken no-call rule on Saturday. Family-first and all.
But yesterday, I told her about something I knew she'd love. Sometimes there really isn't enough time to tell it all, and I'd only mentioned over the summer I was reading this  or that. She didn't know I was studying. I was digging deeper.

I had begun while reading Karen Glass's Consider This not realizing I was using the very tool implemented by great readers for years, perhaps centuries.
The following is from Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace, by Sarah Mackenzie, famous most lately for her phenomenal Read Aloud Revival.
-- "Commonplace books aren't anything new. For centuries, these personal collections have played a significant role in the way scholars read, learn, and remember. They paint a beautiful picture of an individual's growth over time-- of his or her personal journey of learning and growing." Passages, thoughts, reflections, "Anything I read that causes me to pause and read again--to stop and savor the words or ponder the message-- it all belongs in my book."
I don't know about you, but I seem to hear a lot, but can't remember where I read or heard it. And the only way I have been successful in collecting thoughts is to gather them together. Whether it is related to faith, school, marriage, children, family, food, ..... It goes in my book. 

This isn't a recipe collection. It's a collection of the bigger discussions I have in my head, so that when I actually am speaking with a person, my words are clearer. I can effectively share my thoughts. Perhaps the most important reason, I can be at peace with my thoughts and convictions. Being a functioning mother/wife/friend is important to honoring God. Sanity is priority.
I have found a commonplace book to be sanity-saving. I have been able to generate gumption I didn't know I could muster, when my life's events seemed to go against what I knew to be true. I carefully and humbly add, it has helped me submit to God's purposes, when the path of least resistance has been so easily accessible.
Mine isn't a prayer journal, yet it contains prayers.
It isn't a book-study, yet, it does contain copious notes from selected books.
I know it's working when books cross paths. Especially when podcast/recorded word crosses with timeless written. Like these and these.
I've recently gathered up a few new to me texts that will also receive their dose of notes and marking. But the commonplace book is the billboard where I can collect these writers and many times great thinkers,-- have a conversation with them. Call them back to my living room, drink coffee with them and visit. I can wander to another mother's journey and see her notes on how an idea plays out in real life. Because she's reading the same things I've been, my commonplace book in hand, her insights to be pondered.

I use the $1 cardboard cover composition books. But that's me. I use the metal grabber clips to keep only a few items that might have been scratched out when I didn't have my book. But these get transcribed or taped in.
I wish not to be pulled to and fro by every idea out there, troubled in my soul, wondering if I'm foolish for believing something. I wish to take every thought captive, or at least a few that might aid in honoring God more fully.
I have only received 'Teaching from Rest' just a day ago. (Merry Christmas to me.)
and have also received Mind to Mind: an Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason and Karen Glass. I remember Karen 'talking' about it this summer. I couldn't wait, but had to, looking forward to see how she accomplished this endeavor.
So while these are the thinking books I have decided to savor this spring semester, I shared with Leslie a couple of others I've selected to study. 

Total Truth by Nancy Pearcy. (scored with Dad's notes included-- I'll return it Dad....)
The Ring of Truth J.B. Phillips A Translator's Testimony.
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
The Feminization of American Culture by Ann Douglas (selected based on a reference made in a podcast at Circe Institute Conference by Angelina Stanford 'What is Woman? A Reexamination of Feminism and the Church.' found under Resources- Free Audio Library.
Your God is Too Small by J.B. Phillips




One further thought I would add, because Leslie brought it up.
Ann Voskamp has been sharing her blessings for years now. Her book brought the story full-circle, explaining how she came to her need to count 1000 gifts.
I have called mine 'lifemeds' and stopped counting individually and just listed the posts.
I can easily reference, back by title. But I'm seeing now, the beauty of writing these in a composition book, much like my commonplace book.
I can see the penmanship, and the coffee stain, the wine spill, the stress or ease of my handwriting. So fewer posts, online, as I tend to get sucked into media quicker than I count blessings and gifts. I am indebted to those who have begun the greater conversations, of faith and confidence and to friends, like Leslie, who think great thoughts, no matter where they heard them or generated them. Her thoughts on contentment were shared and I'm sure have already made their way into her commonplace book today. 

October 2015 - Lifemeds #48

'Be kind.'
'Kindness always.'
These are the usual words you'll hear me say first when an argument or disagreement, no matter how mild it may be, breaksout within our home. 
I've taken to making these signs, on leftover wood, and pass them out as gifts. It seems to be a universally understood way of saying so many things one might wish to share with children arguing-- adults for that matter. 

While words will stick if repeated over and over, often its the experience of being kind to someone or something that will create a memory, a feeling that cannot be reversed. The momentum of goodness is started, and one cannot deny its existence. In our world, pets seem to take over. Exhibit 'A'. As temporary as this moment was, (she's not allowed to remain here)its a telling moment. Peaceful, even. Lucy is here to stay. 

Curly and Larry, the cats, are long members of the family. As abrasive as the light in the photo is, their calming influence on our home is just as firmly planted as they are cozily snuggled in this bed.
Every part and action of a home is telling.
While the world rages on, we will continue to keep the peace here in our home. Serenity. For now.    

Life Meds #47 August 2015

Birthdays in August- we celebrated both boys, Jack 12, and Henry 9. Nana made a Mandarin orange cake for candles. All the adults had 2 slices. 

We started academics at home this week. Ancient History Writing IEW is amazing. Any edition is great. We have already tackled ziggurats in style.

Dory shared her garden of volunteer tomatoes and peppers. I canned and have shared. But still have plenty if Jalepenos. Yum.

So hard to believe we're in the last year before teens. And Henry. This boy.

Football. Oh my. 9U. Love this boy.

Every Saturday till November.

Counting my blessings. So thankful for life, opportunity. 

Life Meds. Don't stop counting. One Thousand Gifts.

Summer 2015 - Lifemeds #46

The summer has flown by. 2 months were not enough. June and July. August 5 brings me to the first day of school for Henry, and 2 weeks from our official start up for Jack.
It seems it has never stopped.
We had a wonderful summer, full of adventure, swimming, and fun. Heat brought a longing for fall and winter, seasons that change our hearts and minds.
Here's a glimpse, don't blink-- you'll miss it!!

Life's problems are just 

the management of blessings. 

Counting them is Lifemeds. 

#46 times to be exact.  

April 2015 - Lifemeds #45 Spring, Home/School and Boys

(melt my heart, picture day)

Jack at Classical Conversations

 Story of the World - Middle Ages

Buddies in IEW 'All Things Fun and Fascinating' post-discussion of Thomas Edison

Easter- likely his last egg hunt

A few more to go...

Tennis for Henry

Nerf War with friends

And A tree Fort. 

Lifemeds, Counting my gifts, blessed . 

Childhood, C.S. Lewis and Books

"There were books in the study, books in the drawing room, books in the cloakroom, books (two deep) in the great bookcase on the landing, books in a bedroom, books piled as high a my shoulder in the cistern attic, books of all kinds reflecting every transient stage of my parents' interest, book readable and unreadable, books suitable for a child and books most emphatically not.

 Nothing was forbidden to me."

C.S. Lewis,

 Surprised by Joy, The Shape of My Early Life.

Recently my brother's position at Palmer Homes for Children led him to meet up with Ben Carson, presidential candidate and well known physician in pediatric surgery. 

Ben's mother has for many years been a she-ro of mine. She decided to turn off the t.v. 

I almost don't need to complete the story, because it has become so well known, but that's where the story for my kids seem to stop-- in pain. They know when mommy thinks about Ben Carson, t.v. goes off and the books come out. But truthfully, I don't think they care. Recently, my youngest, Henry 'Rabbit' as he's known at tennis class, has been reading aloud to me. He brought home the class read-aloud, The Tale of Despereaux, and read 2 chapters each night for several nights in a row. This may seem odd at bed-time, aren't I, the parent supposed to be doing the reading? Well, if he doesn't read, he falls asleep. He's exausted by the end of the day. He's a contender for the energizer bunny. 

But, like Isak Dinesen, I wonder, will he have a song of me? What will that song sound like? Sharp shrieks and snaps, or snuggles and love, and consistency. Will he remember me as the jailkeeper or the one he could count on? Even after last night where he thought he'd been left at church.... oh my, what comes around goes around,
 but for me the karma just needs to change(ironically, I was left many, many times at church, weddings...now I do it to my kids?) 

I really believe he knows ho much I care, about him, and that there is 
some reason we 'go to so much trouble' to manage and guide him. 

From the breakfast of lucky charms at school, or the overdose of t.v. in the afternoon, we try to curb, guide, teach, promote, whatever you want to call it- censure? Whatever... 

I was blessed with him, in God's providence and wisdom,

 to be his guide,

 his life's mother. 

I. am. the momma. 

So when I read, 'Nothing was forbidden to me,' I see a child in a well chosen library of an adult, but not selected for a child. Not one that has censored out all the books that have a love scene, or knights battling to the death, but one that has been purchased, collected, received from a variety of means. I look around mine and see the years of sifting through, sorting and de-accessing, filtered by my own choices, not for my children's delight.  I look back and realize my parents books were chosen from their spiritual bend, not to influence me, but because of who they were and what they would naturally choose. MY books as well as my life, may be a reflection of me later, and will most certainly, for better or for worse influence my children. But it will be his choice, just as it is mine, and just as it was C.S. Lewis' choice to decide which we might re-read again, take ownership of, and become the person we are meant to be. 

(Reading Rock-a-bye Farm for the millioneth time. Henry 3, Jack 6.Baton Rouge, LA 2009)

Homeschooling the Dyslexic Child - For Our Family

I recently came back to blog. Our homeschooling journey has not been reflected here. It's just been too personal. Too difficult. But for those of you, like me, who venture back to old (cyber)friends, I wanted to catch you up. 
It's been a educational 'Groundhog's Day' around here. 

And that's what it feels like sometimes. 

When you really don't understand, so you throw caution to the wind. You. Just. Let. Go. 

But eventually, you find yourself really seeking relationship with your child, the way they are made- the way they see things. Adding Sally Shaywitz book, Overcoming Dyslexia & The Out of Sync Child to my reading list is a big step. It says 'it's real.' And 'it's not going anywhere.' They've been on my shelf, bedside, and book bag for years now, but saying it on the blog is full circle. 

This may not seem like a big deal to some. It has been a real challenge for us. Our household has had some real come-to-Jesus moments. The kind that the baby-books just don't go into. And the kind that The Well-Trained Mind or The Lost Tools of Learning doesn't cover. It's been more of a 'Mr. Holland's Opus' kind of a ride. Admitting and tossing what you thought was ideal to the side, and embrace the child as they are. 

When you are thinking they are hearing you.

 Other children do....?

The literal struggles over what seems mundane.

No one can accuse you of not being willing to put on the monkey suit to make things happen. 

But sometimes the results don't become clear until after the composition has gone to print.

Dreams turn into struggle, success not happening where you have prayed for it to be seen, wishing it was for your own child. And then perhaps at last, seeing that smile that makes you know, they are going in the way - they should go.- In the way they were created and designed by a benevolent, loving Creator. 

Lifemeds #44 March 2015

There is a delightful moment in 'The Family Man' where Nicholas Cage has taken Tia Leoni to a penthouse apartment that is only one of the minor perks he's been offered if he takes the job he 'really has' in his real life. He's trying to describe the amazing life they can have and all the amazing things that will happen and come if they just step up to the changes, alterations, enhancements. It will be so much better than their existing life. 
 I recommend watching with the hubs. After the kids go to bed. (maybe you can catch the edited version, disclaimer: some parts are inappropriate.)
 For us, when things get out of control and we need a reset on our perspective as marrieds or parents-- we say what Tia says to Nicholas -- we are that family, we are have what folks are striving for. Oh please, you know I'm not saying perfection, or the modern interpretation of success. We are blessed. We have longevity, a collective history, safety, warmth. HOME. We have stayed the storm of 17 years, with all the details that go with those years. And we still like being together. But it's those stress filled days of 'no answers' and 'no compromise' that seem to make us wonder - what were we thinking??
What fool commits to a life of ... - this?
Parenting, marriage, living, = challenge.
(Perhaps this explains my affinity for end of the world movies- theme-- survival. Like The Day After Tomorrow. Yes, you'll catch me watching this during our personal catastrophic moments)
 But our goal is not just survival- right? It is to thrive, live, honor God by honoring one another.
The week is here. It's Monday already. Lord, accept my thanks for all that you have blessed me with. 
My cup runneth over. 

 The Serenity Prayer seems appropriate-- 

Lord, help me to accept the things I can't change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Give me, oh Lord in your infinite wisdom, perspective and gratitude for the smallest wonder in my life. Love for those in my immediate circle of life. May you be honored in all things, in every way, by my actions and that which is in my power to influence. May the whispers of my heart's voice be only love and self-sacrifice. 

If you wish to read and fellowship with others in life-changing thanksgiving and gratitude, consider visiting Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience. 

An example of her beautiful expression can be found in this post. 

If you are looking for a Lenten Series,

 visit Edie at  Life In Grace and sign up for her e-mails. I highly recommend.  I'll be heading there shortly, even though I do not strictly keep Lent.

 Go there, sign up, you won't be disappointed.

 And you'll be welcomed, even if you don't know what the ashes are for.