Temperatures Rising

Anna woke up this morning with a 101.2 fever and an inability to get out of bed.  So for today, I, Scott, am chef, teacher, blogger, nurse, police officer, playmate, maid, and overall taskmaster.

Against her wishes, I am posting a picture of Anna in bed and the kids finding creative things to do while unsupervised by me.

Savoring Them

I have this bookmark that has a very thoughtful poem on it that I would like to share with you.  

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd model less about the love of power, 

And more about the power of love.

~ By Diane Loomans

Many people look at my children then tell me, "Enjoy this, for they grow up too fast."  I grin and acknowledge their kindness, not really knowing the fullness of what they mean.  After reading words like those above in the poem, I can get a feeling of what is implied.  

From day to day, there is a powerful urge to tidy, to scurry about doing this and that, busying ourselves with the 'musts' of the day.  Even though I truly do have to get many things done throughout the day, I have to stop and enjoy the true gift I have in the simple moments with my children.  Knowing that a cuddle with them is more important than prepping a gourmet meal. Or even listening to them think outloud is more important than whatever it is that I think I have to attend to.  

I live in a dream each day with the opportunity to witness the growth of my children's bodies, minds and hearts.  It can get hairy as a stay-at-home homeschooling mom, but it is still a dream.  There are moments that don't feel so wonderful, but I must remember that they are only young once.  I must savor them, seizing the day, capturing those moments I have now to connect with them.  

Jules

Julian has been mastering some skills here at home.  He has become quite good at creating things with the K'NEX.  I highly recommend K'NEX.  They are good for little engineers like Julian especially.  Madelyn and Kalen enjoy them as well.  

He has also been enjoying drawing dragons.  He checked out a book from the library that shows him how to draw them, step by step.  He amazes me with how he can use detail with his pictures.  

These are two main gifts that I see in Julian's life right now.  He is good at quite a bit more, but I see these as his strengths.  Author Zan Tyler speaks of how a child is bent.  She writes about how we, as parents & teachers, should consider and build upon the learning styles, talents and interests a child already has.  I agree totally.  

Recipe of the Week

Rainbow Chard

Swiss Chard is a vegetable that is a member of the beet family.  It brings to mind the flavors of beets and spinach.  I came up with my own way of cooking this veggie, after many trial and error episodes.  When Scott grew a garden with his sixth grade students in Blowing Rock, he grew this beautiful vegetable.  We learned to like it and now we love it.

Anna's Rainbow Chard

3 Tbs of olive oil

2 cloves of garlic minced

2 Tbs of lemon juice

2 Tbs of Tamari (soy sauce)

one bunch of Rainbow Chard cleaned and chopped

a dash or two of all purpose seasoning

a dash of salt & pepper

*Clean the Chard thoroughly.  Chop entire vegetable; stems and leaves.  Place in wok or other large skillet, uncovered.  Add minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, Tamari, and seasoning.  Stir gently with utensil.  Cook on medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring gently and constantly.  Serve with rice, baked potato, or other veggies.  

Good Times

Today was a sweet day spent with Jan, Jerry and Shanda.  We had been awaiting their arrival and the celebration of Shanda and Jerry's birthdays.  

As usual, we had a grand time eating together, playing games, giving goodies to one another, catching up with what is going on in our lives,  and just being together.  Oh, and we had a tickle fest full of laughter.  That was a hoot!  

Nothing beats family time.  I love it.  You can't get any better than being surrounded by the ones you love.  The joy is so natural and real.   

My Sub

I didn't even have to call in sick.  I had a substitute teacher this morning.  Last night, Scott was talking with me and mentioned his idea of me going out this morning and letting him take over. Of course, I thoroughly enjoyed the thought of a morning out.  This doesn't come often with Scott's schedule.  I immediately accepted and did in fact have some alone time this morning.

I went to a fun cafe in Durham called Madhatters.  It is a cute little bakery right next to Duke. I felt hip walking in the the joint.  Scott goes there frequently to read and study.  I sat at my little table and read VegNews and my book, Shepherding a Child's Heart, wrote a letter, crocheted and prayed.  It was glorious.  Just to have some uninterrupted moments was the greatest gift. It was just a few hours, but for me, such a luxury.  

I love it that my husband wanted to serve me and love on me today.  I enjoy the fact that he wants to be home and spend time with his children.  His presence at home is like the sweetest honey to my children.   

Thank you, Scott.  Your gift was thoughtful, intentional and loving.  

More Dress Up

Tonight was another night that Scott would be out late.  I just let the kids make messes and get into all kinds of stuff.  They got out several costumes and I captured some of those moments.  It is amazing what they pull out when given the time to just root around.  This is the beauty of being home.  

I found an interesting article by Clay Clarkson, husband to Sally Clarkson, who is a homeschooling father and writer.  It is encouraging, you homeschooling moms would enjoy it.

Dress Up

Just a couple of cute pictures of Kalen & company from this week.  They like to play in Scott and I's closet.  

My Favorite Verses

I have low days like anyone else.  Days when I just want to crawl back in bed, curl up and be alone for the next twelve hours.  Days when I don't have the right attitude, when I am quick to anger, moody and ill.  Days when I feel weary.  When four sets of eyes are watching my every move, it seems, it can be a little much.

It is a comfort to know that I am not on my own.  With the challenges that come with each day, I am not alone.  I can get so overwhelmed with life.  Overwhelmed with the responsibilities that come with being a wife, a mother, a daughter, sister, friend and child of God.  There are moments when I have to just drop to my knees and verbally say,   "I can't do this on my own, Lord, I need you.  Help me. I need YOU.  I NEED YOU . . . I NEED YOU!"  In that brokenness, God is able to teach me over and over again that He never sleeps.  He is my keeper.  

Psalm 121:1-8
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and for evermore.

Marble Painting

I got this idea from my Wondertime Magazine. 

Cover work area in newspaper.  Trace the bottom of a shoebox onto a piece of construction paper (I used a stronger watercolor paper).  Then cut out the traced shape, put a piece of rolled tape on the back, and stick it in the bottom of the shoebox.  Fill small paper cups or plastic containers about half full with different colors of washable paint.  Place one marble (for kids 3 and up) or a rubber ball in each cup and make sure it's fully covered with paint.  With a spoon, scoop a marble or ball out of a cup, letting some of the goopy paint drip off, and put it in the shoebox.  Tilt the box as quickly or slowly as you like and watch the marble creat a design on the paper.  Mix it up with other colors and more marbles as desired.  When your work is complete, remove the paper and let dry completely, about 2 hours.

~ idea from Megan Litwin~ Wondertime

For you, Mr. February 17th

Mr. Jerry Irl Morrison, known as Grandpa around here, is having a birthday today.

We are so very thankful for you, Jerry. You mean the world to each and every one of us. You are a man of honor and love. Thank you for being an amazing giver and provider. You are special in countless ways.

Today, know that you are our hero. You are such a comfort to us. We adore you.

We hope your day is full of your favorite things, i.e. your recliner, Tivo, your Friday night shirt (go ahead, put it on) and Jan . We wish we could be with you. We can't wait to celebrate with you next weekend.

We love you & have a happy birthday.  

 

Our Valentine's Day

If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.
Mother Teresa

Our Valentine's Day started out wonderfully with a pancake breakfast. This is a Morrison family tradition. The kids and I decorated the table last night. We had chocolate chip pancakes with strawberries. Yum.  Our family loves big breakfasts.  My friend, Andrea, brought us some flowers last week, so I was able to actually have a centerpiece. So lovely.

Scott went to school and we quickly got started on our homeschooling for the morning. Then, after lunch, Madelyn and Julian had a play date at Payton's house. Payton has two younger brothers, Jordan and Blake and a little sister Madison. They are a delightful family and live very close to us. Lisa dropped off Blake here at our home to play with Kalen and Brayden. Kalen was so tickled to have his own friend over to play with. They got along so well.

This evening we made pizzas and had cake. The pizza turned out really well, the cake is ugly but tasty.

Now, Scott and I will have some much needed alone time with one another.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tagged

I was tagged by friend Laurie Vinson, see her blog. I will tell you the rules:

1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.

2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).

3. After you are tagged, you need to update your blog with your middle name and your answers.

4. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details).

(I will be using my maiden middle name)

L ~ love quality time

A ~ attentive to the needs of others

U ~ understanding that the world is not black and white, enjoying the gray

R ~ really passionate about being vegan 

E ~ enjoys card games, crocheting, reading, homeschooling, watching movies, and lots of sunshine.

L ~ learning how to capture the heart of my husband and kids daily

Okay Torie, Jen, Emily, Kallie, Amanda and Mandy, you have all been tagged.  :)

Look Mom!

When I was at my Mom's house a week or so ago, she taught me about this method of knitting that she has been into. She has taught me all that I know in regards to crocheting and I was up for any new thing she had to teach me. She showed me how to knit, using a round loom. There are many different shaped loops. You can make all sorts of things. It truly is a fun way to knit that dates back to the 1700s.

I don't have a lot of spare time here at home. But ten minutes here and ten minutes there, really add up. In one week, I made a hat! It was easy. I can't wait to make more things. I just called Mom and she said she made Maddie a pancho. Shh . . . it is for Valentine's Day. :)

We all had fun trying on the hat.