Head Above Water

Yesterday and today I have felt like I have been swimming in the deep. Do you know the type of feeling I am referring to? Those days when you feel less than lovely and you can't seem to catch up. Yes, I have been there before and I imagine we all experience this here and there.

I was lingering in doubt yesterday pertaining to homeschooling. Any homeschooling mother will say that this comes with the territory. I agree, wholeheartedly. It is easy to second guess yourself when you are creating something you have never seen before.

I am realizing how difficult it is to keep everyone happy, focused, taught, fed, nurtured and loved at the same time. I felt and feel overwhelmed with the task of raising and teaching these kids every day. There is no job I would rather do, although I would sometimes like to run for cover.

I think what I am learning most is that I have to put on love every morning when I rise, knowing full well that I am walking into a day full of needs. It is far better to embrace this idea that Christ lived out, rather than kick and scream my way through selflessness.

I am also learning that pride is not a good buddy to carry around with me. It inhibits selflessness and closeness with my immediate family. I am eager to let my soft and silly sides surface more. I have been praying for a lightheartedness for a year now. I have been conditioned to be a worrier and controlling. Breaking free will take serious (see I can be so serious) effort.

It is hard learning things about myself that need to be changed. I find these things as I work and live alongside my family. I find out what doesn't work for me or someone else in response to a quality or habit of mine. Some of you will say that I am being too hard on myself. Really, don't we all get convicted occasionally about a quality we see in ourselves that we have to work on? The working is not fun. Real effort has to be put into change.

I AM determined to love and give myself daily to this family. The Lord has blessed me so richly, I will do my best. Hard days come and go. I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3 where Solomon writes, "There is a time for everything . . . A time to cry and a time to laugh." I have to roll with these fleeting days with grace and a willingness to grow.

CAN

Years ago, I read about Team Hoyt, a father-son marathon team. This team is made up of Dick and Rick Hoyt. It was always Rick Hoyt's dream to run a marathon, but he was born with muscular dystrophy. So, his father figured out a way for Rick's dream to come true. Bless yourself by watching their amazing video. It is 4 minutes and 13 seconds and it is worth your time. Keep the tissues close by.

Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms

*Henry Ward Beecher, a pastor in the 1800s and brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, said, "The mother's heart is the child's school-room." What is in your heart will impact your children.  If you enjoy homeschooling, your children will more than likely enjoy homeschooling.  Robert Frost also weighs in on this topic:  "Frost maintained an approach to teaching which favored involvement and enjoyment rather than scholarship and criticism."  You will have good days and bad days in your homeschool, and days when your children are more cooperative than others.  But if you will make the effort to be optimistic, enthusiastic, and affirming, you will be sowing good things into the soil of your child's heart, and this will bear good fruit in your children's lives- although you might not see that fruit immediately or every day.*

~from Zan Tyler's 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child's Potential

Back to Boone

We made arrangements for Scott & the kids to stay with his parents this weekend, so I could visit one of my dearest friends in Boone.  Mandy turned 30 last week and gathered several of her buddies together at a mountain house in Boone.  Of course, I loved seeing Mandy and seeing a little bit of Boone, as well.  Mandy and I were college roomies about 11 years ago.  We have remained close ever since.    

There were four other friends of Mandy's there that I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting.  Joye, Amy (owner of the gorgeous mtn. house), Kay and Mary were such a joy to meet.  I believe that Mandy was truly honored as we rallied around her with encouragement, laughter, hiking, and good food.  Mandy was able to share a lot of her heart and I know, as a she is a lover of words, she enjoyed the feedback and was truly gifted by the love shown towards her.  

The view from this house was spectacular.  We were able to look right out over the deck to see Grandfather Mountain.  The sunset was gorgeous.  I felt like I could breath deeply again.  

I am so thankful for how Scott, his parents, and sister all worked together to care for our children.  I know how much hard work it takes.  They had lots of fun and I never, for a minute, worried about them.  I enjoyed the break and I am refreshed going into a new week.

I returned a little earlier than expected to visit my grandmother in the hospital.  She had a heart attack this weekend.  I was so upset, but relieved when I was able to get to her and hug her neck.  She is stable and doing alright.  There are several tests still to take.  My heart is with her this evening.  

  

Our Sleepwalker Strikes Again

With permission from Julian, I am sharing a cute photo of how I found him last night.  I was on the computer around 10ish and I hear Julian come out of his room.  Assuming that he was going to the bathroom, I typed for a few moments longer.  I decided to go check on him.  In the reflection of the mirror, I saw him putting on Kalen's fish towel.  I ran for Scott and the camera.  This was just too good.  

Scott came and he asked Julian if he knew who he (Scott) was.  Julian said, "Uh huh, you're the silly man."  Julian was in his little sleepy world, totally clueless.

Scott mentioned all this to Jules this morning and he remembered nothing.  Isn't that wild?  Julian got a big kick out of this photo.  He laughed and laughed.  He has had such a great attitude about his mishaps.   

In case you are wondering, we have now turned on an alarm so we know when someone goes or comes through our doors that lead outside.  Who knows what sleepwalkers are capable of, right?  

  

He's Back At It

Our Christmas break is officially over.  Homeschooling is back in full swing and Scott is back at his work.  He starts classes tomorrow.  Today, he is reading several articles that one of his professors has assigned even before their first class.  You know you are enrolled in a Phd program when you have assignments even before a class has started.  

Scott was been so sweet to give us all his time as he was home over his break.  He had several books that he wanted to read, but instead he put it aside to be with us and make some home improvements.  The kids have loved following him around for almost a solid month.  Oh, how they love their daddy.  

Thanks Scott, for your presence and playfulness over your break.  We love you!  You gave us the best gift you could ever give us.  

Backyard Bird Feeders

This morning the kids and I started back with a more structured morning with homeschooling.  We had a devotion about respecting and taking care of God's creation, the nature that surrounds us.  As a way of caring for and delighting in our environment close to our home, we made some bird feeders.  

We gathered pine cones, tied a string to them, covered them with peanut butter and sprinkled and pressed in some birdseed.  We hung them in our backyard and look forward to seeing our backyard birds enjoy them.  

Today was a gorgeous day.  It is so unreal to be in the 70's here in Durham.  We all changed clothes a couple of times.  The kids ended up with flip flops and shorts by noon.  I keep thinking of what the temperature would be in Boone.  Although I miss Boone terribly, I love the warmth I was able to feel and play in today.

Little Veggie Humor

Education by Presence

In Zan Tyler's book, 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child's Potential, she writes:

*Personal presence is also a powerful teaching tool.  Robert Frost, the poet and recipient of four Pulitzer Prizes, was a homeschooling parent.  He believed in "education by presence:  "By 'education by presence,' Frost clearly meant education by example, not education by exhortation.  He meant doing, not merely verbalizing.  He meant showing, not just telling."*

Within the same chapter she writes:

*Jesus always has His eye on us and gives constant direction.  We should make it our goal to emulate Him in the way we teach.  This kind of teaching implies constant companionship, which is the heart and soul of homeschooling.*

The Kruideniers

Happy New Year to you all.  The start of our year has been so enjoyable.  Our treasured friends Daniel, Jen, Ellen and Arianna Kruidenier came to visit us from South Carolina.  They were able to stay two nights and three days with us.  Our time together was refreshing and so fulfilling.  We feel so extremely comfortable with this family.  

From the photos, you can see that despite the freezing temperatures the kids enjoyed some scooter riding time in our neighborhood.  Ellen and Arianna received them as gifts for Christmas as well and brought them along to enjoy with our kids.  

We shared meals, playtime, fun sleepover moments and lots of laughs.  Oh, and we made it a priority for each of the adult buddies to go out together for a bit.  Scott and Daniel went out to Carrboro to visit Scott's favorite working hot spot, Open Eye Cafe.  Jen and I enjoyed lots of conversation and shopping.  Each night after the kids went to bed, the four of us would just talk for hours.  It feels so good to have friends that you just pick up where you last left off and enjoy life together.