freak me out

That moment when you realize that you dressed your baby boy and yourself with eerie similarity...

homeschooling: make new friends & keep the old

This morning marked our third week of Monday School with our local homeschool co-op.  With the glaring exception of little Gabriel essentially imploding before the end of the last class period, it's been really good. So good.

I'm seeing so many new faces, in addition to many that I've known for several years now.  It is such a pleasure to feel a little more seasoned and to know what to expect a bit better.  I feel as though I'm finding some kind of groove with the whole mother-of-five thing.  It helps tremendously to have such amazing helpers.  The little ones are being very obedient as well.   It's easier to maneuver my brood around outside of the house.  The big trip had a lot to do with that - and I'm sure it will be a little more difficult once Oregon's rainy season begins in a month or two.  But still.

I'm a little overcome by the authenticity of the ladies who gather their families each Monday.  It is decidedly a joint effort to make something like this happen, and the encouragement and kindness I've encountered is beautiful to behold.

While I help with (and learn) the First Aid stuff, my kids are building friendships.  When I play games with a group of elementary kids, my baby is being cuddled by other mothers.  My children see kids raising their voices in worship during chapel time, while the mamas lift their hands.   They see, and I see, other families who live this crazy life - and we are all encouraged.

We're not the only ones walking this amazing, challenging road.  The life of math at the dining table, history snuggled up by the fireplace while we read about ancient times.  Of pausing the grammar lesson to deal with a runny nose or taking the play dough away from the toddler who found it so tasty.   The path that is filled with intensely difficult days and exquisitely exciting ones, with tears and laughter and hugs.

What a blessing.

And what a gift to know that regardless of what happens, the Lord'shomes mercies are new every morning.  This is just one of the evidences of the kindness He shows us.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
             ~Lamentations 3:22-23

 

another year

I had another birthday this week.  It turns out they're kind of an annual thing.  My day was filled with family, fun, and really good food.

crafted from me by our oldest son

Cinnamon Roll Pull-Apart Bread

Lunch out, followed by shoe shopping!

cards

watching the annual birthday soccer game

Me & Jeff at the soccer field

A sweet ending, surrounded by family

taking a...break?

Elise and Ben helping make pancakes for breakfast

So, counter-cultural once more, we are on a break from homeschool just as the rest of the country is beginning.   We will be taking three weeks off total, and currently we're a third of the way through our vacation.

Vacation?

I have a host of projects I want to get done.  I want to finally get Gabe's newborn photos framed and on the wall.  The pantry desperately needs to be organized, the study (where we keep our school materials)  needs a complete overhaul.  Monday school has started, we have Bible study on Tuesdays.  I have preparation I need to do for the new term beginning in October.  And I must confess: I still haven't graded the end of the year math tests.

Between all this stuff and a flurry of playdates (yes, three playdates in three weeks is a flurry to me!), our time off is filling up fast.

But it's all good.

Somehow the important stuff will get done.  And the things that aren't quite as high on the priority list will work themselves out.  While I feel busy, it is a good busyness.  At the moment there's a little more time for cuddling upstairs before I head down to fix breakfast and start the day.  The kids now have plenty of time to give their bedrooms a good cleaning.  The crisp fall mornings are perfectly delicious, and I'm excited about the new season about to begin.

And today?  My kids and I are heading to play at the park.  It's a gorgeous day out there, and we're going to  soak up this time...

busy summertime

Lately I've noticed something.  As summer is ending, when I chat with  people about it has gone for them they talk about how busy it was.  Lots of activities and gatherings.  Go, go, go.  It always strikes me as slightly odd, because the main reason my summer was busy had to do with me standing in my kitchen and chopping things.

Don't misunderstand: we took outings.  We traveled the central and western United States for three weeks in our Suburban.  We've had gatherings with friends.  We went swimming.  We did stuff - although I think we probably did less of that stuff than a lot of people took on.  Because, let's face it: I am a homebody.  A homebody and an introvert, which is not really the most exciting combination.  Still, I kept my self busy...

I blanched beans and roasted tomatoes.  I froze and bagged berries.  I made jam.  And rendered tallow.  And made some more jam.   Then I prayed for more tomatoes.  

So...I think it's safe to say that I kept pretty busy - even beyond the regular stuff like school and laundry and diaper changing.

Was it worth it?  I suppose that's a matter of opinion.  I know that for me, it's important to do what I can to preserve the harvest, to use what I can now and save some for cold weather.  It's important to make use of fresh, organic goods, of healthy, clean animal fats, and of my freezer space.  It is very satisfying to pull out summer goods in the middle of winter, to taste those gorgeous summer tomatoes, the sweetness of summer berries.  It's good to know I'm providing for my family with my own two hands - even if my feet do get tired sometimes.  I want to seize the opportunities I've been given at every chance.

For me, it is worth it.  The work of my hands is rewarding in its own way, and it does my heart good to know I've done what I could.

nine

My littlest little turns 9 months this week!  At this milestone, my darling...

...can pull himself up.

...is able to get himself down from a standing position.

...can crawl like the dickens.

...charms people everywhere he goes with his dimply smile.

...loves loves loves to chase cats; he would make it a career if only it paid better.

...is mostly interested in table foods as hands-on, tactile experiences.

...has the loudest tongue-click in the west.

...just cut his second tooth.

...has discovered that he can make a lot of noise with that mouth of his.

...is quite a "chatterbox," and is going to give a certain talkative sibling a run for his money!

remembrance

I remember that it was early on a sunny morning.  My husband and I - childless couple that we used to be - were getting ready for work.  He kissed me goodbye and walked out the door, but two minutes later he was back.

"Turn on the TV," he said.  "Something's happened."

We turned it on and stood in disbelief as we watched the screen.  The towers on fire, crumbling.  The shots of the planes hitting them, played over and over.  We were stunned.  Could this be real?  What did it mean?  What would happen next?

When I got to work, I was the one to unlock the doors and begin the day.  Soon my co-worker arrived.  She had heard nothing of the events of the morning, and I suspect she might've thought I was making the whole thing up.  And who could blame her?  This was unreal, unbelievable.

I remember the sense of uncertainly.  The paper flags people put in their back windows.  The pointed efforts to not discuss it - what had happened, what was happening, what might be happening - with the parents who dropped their children at our preschool for the morning.  After all, we didn't want to frighten the little ones.  Still, the tension in the air, the fear, was almost palpable.  The silence, and our eyes, spoke fathoms.

I remember wondering what would happen next.  Would there be more attacks in other cities?  Was my husband, in a tall building deep in the metro area, in danger?  Would would America look like in a week, in a month, in a year?

I remember the way people prayed.  The sense of unity, and the powerful awareness of how much we needed Him.  I remember the gathering of churches that night as dusk fell.  I remember looking at my pregnant friend, wondering what kind of world her child would grow up in.

Eleven years have come and gone.  Many things have not changed, and many things have.  In many ways the world is a much scarier place.  Yet - God is still on the throne.  We continue to pray.  We still desperately need Him.

And we remember.