It may be that because we're homeschooling I have more time to notice, or maybe they've reached an age where their senses of humor are more developed...either way, my kids have been cracking me up lately. Just when I thought I couldn't love 'em anymore - they turn out to be really funny! And not just in the typical "kids are funny" untimely gas passing, tripping over themselves, silly kind of way. They're witty, they've got a great handle on language, and they find clever ways to bring out humor in the most mundane situation. I love to laugh, so I sincerely wouldn't be any happier if we'd just discovered a hidden musical or athletic gifting. If they're this funny now, I can only imagine the laughs we'll have as they learn more about the world around them and further develop their comedic skills. There are so many things I plan to teach them, but "real" funny has to come from within, ya know? So I am one happy mom, 'cause my kids are funny!
Stealing this post idea.
Unwinding after a long day.
Wishing it wasn't too late for coffee.
Forgiving my children for the milkshake incident at Chick-Fil-A.
Researching art projects for my classes.
Laughing at this video.
Thawing a roast for dinner tomorrow - we've had sandwiches 2 nights in a row.
Looking forward to our first field trip next week.
Praying for my husband.
Going to bed and hopefully...
Sleeping in tomorrow!
Unwinding after a long day.
Wishing it wasn't too late for coffee.
Forgiving my children for the milkshake incident at Chick-Fil-A.
Researching art projects for my classes.
Laughing at this video.
Thawing a roast for dinner tomorrow - we've had sandwiches 2 nights in a row.
Looking forward to our first field trip next week.
Praying for my husband.
Going to bed and hopefully...
Sleeping in tomorrow!
I've been on the go-go-go lately (another story for another day!) and while out and about, I've been asked more times than I can count, How's homeschooling? I don't mind being asked at all, in fact, I'm genuinely touched at how many people are inquiring about our transition, rooting us on, and offering encouragement. But the fact that I've been asked this question so many times in the past week got me to thinking...maybe some of you on the other side of this blog that haven't had a chance to ask are wondering the same.
Homeschooling is great. We certainly don't have it down to a perfect science and every day looks a little different, but it's working for us. Some days, as we gather our materials and sit around the dining room table, we're like a Norman Rockwell painting...other days we're so dysfunctional that even Fox wouldn't air our reality show. But that's life, right? Homeschooling has proven to be a piece of our life puzzle that fits into place beautifully. Even if the puzzle is far from complete, this piece fits perfectly in it's place. It fits our personalities and lifestyle so well, and Lily and Luke being so close in age is an undeniable benefit -it's as if they were literally born for homeschooling. This was a "big picture" solution for us, not a quick fix for any one particular problem, but a lifestyle change that we hoped would bring widespread balance - and so far, it's working.
Obviously, there is a lot this post doesn't include - so many things we haven't figured out about our life as a homeschool family. But all those things would make this a very long answer to a short question, so for now, I'll just stick with: We love homeschooling!
Homeschooling is great. We certainly don't have it down to a perfect science and every day looks a little different, but it's working for us. Some days, as we gather our materials and sit around the dining room table, we're like a Norman Rockwell painting...other days we're so dysfunctional that even Fox wouldn't air our reality show. But that's life, right? Homeschooling has proven to be a piece of our life puzzle that fits into place beautifully. Even if the puzzle is far from complete, this piece fits perfectly in it's place. It fits our personalities and lifestyle so well, and Lily and Luke being so close in age is an undeniable benefit -it's as if they were literally born for homeschooling. This was a "big picture" solution for us, not a quick fix for any one particular problem, but a lifestyle change that we hoped would bring widespread balance - and so far, it's working.
Obviously, there is a lot this post doesn't include - so many things we haven't figured out about our life as a homeschool family. But all those things would make this a very long answer to a short question, so for now, I'll just stick with: We love homeschooling!
...Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12
Last month I read the words "expectation destroys appreciation" on a friend's blog. I really chewed on that statement, so poignant in the writer's context of failing to appreciate the simple pleasures in life, like time with family, because we tend to have expectations of perfection. That same expression came to mind as I mediated on the above scriptures. I've found myself returning to them daily, reading them over and over...wondering. In all the noise of life, with all the chaos of a young, busy family - clouded further by my own expectations - am I missing His gentle whisper? Am I expecting God to show up in one way and failing to appreciate, or missing all together, when He moves in a different way? The question hits me like a punch to the gut, because I am certain of the answer. Yes.
It would be easy to allow myself to spend time wrecked over the gentle whispers I am sure I have missed, the glimpses of God I have overlooked, the interventions I have failed to appreciate. But today my prayer is, rather than perhaps miss Him again while looking back, I'll open my eyes, I'll quiet myself, I'll watch and listen. Then I'll acknowledge and appreciate the ways He shows up today. And in doing so, I'll teach my children to do the same.
Last month I read the words "expectation destroys appreciation" on a friend's blog. I really chewed on that statement, so poignant in the writer's context of failing to appreciate the simple pleasures in life, like time with family, because we tend to have expectations of perfection. That same expression came to mind as I mediated on the above scriptures. I've found myself returning to them daily, reading them over and over...wondering. In all the noise of life, with all the chaos of a young, busy family - clouded further by my own expectations - am I missing His gentle whisper? Am I expecting God to show up in one way and failing to appreciate, or missing all together, when He moves in a different way? The question hits me like a punch to the gut, because I am certain of the answer. Yes.
It would be easy to allow myself to spend time wrecked over the gentle whispers I am sure I have missed, the glimpses of God I have overlooked, the interventions I have failed to appreciate. But today my prayer is, rather than perhaps miss Him again while looking back, I'll open my eyes, I'll quiet myself, I'll watch and listen. Then I'll acknowledge and appreciate the ways He shows up today. And in doing so, I'll teach my children to do the same.
When I started dating David, my world was opened up to the phenomenon of multiple holiday dinners. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving...three houses to visit. Sometimes the celebrations would be spread over the course of a few days, but other times, we would eat an enormous lunch, complete with all the traditional southern dishes, only to find ourselves seated in front of another huge spread just a few hours later.
That's how I'm feeling tonight - like I've just been served 3 Thanksgiving dinners. Two sessions of Beth Moore - last night and earlier today, followed just hours later by an awesome Saturday night service at my own church. I am stuffed! And now I've got so much to digest!
That's how I'm feeling tonight - like I've just been served 3 Thanksgiving dinners. Two sessions of Beth Moore - last night and earlier today, followed just hours later by an awesome Saturday night service at my own church. I am stuffed! And now I've got so much to digest!
Hey Beth. Sorry it's been so long! I know, I know...after that trip to Boone to visit you in '07, I kinda became a stranger, didn't I? Well, don't think I haven't been thinking about ya! I am so excited to see you tonight, and to introduce you to my new friend, Teri. Well, by "new" I mean relative to me and you. Teri and I met about 2 years ago, but you and I, well gosh, I guess it's been over a decade! I was thinking back to the first time we met, I did the tabernacle study with a few women from my church....you had big ol' hair and I was just a wide-eyed newlywed, trying to make heads or tails of the real world. I'd never been involved in such an intense Bible study, and though I didn't think I'd make it through, your encouragement helped me persevere. Now, many years and many studies later, you have imparted your knowledge and love for God's Word in my heart like no one else. I'm so thankful we met during those formative years; I'm certain your influence helped shape my faith walk. Like the time you told me "Forgiveness wouldn't make "it" okay, forgiveness would make me okay," I really had to chew on that one, and before too long, I saw things God's way and let go. And then there was the day David moved to NC without me and the kids. I was doing the Believing God study, and you used God's word to show me how the "middle" is often the hardest part, and since we were right in the middle of the biggest faith step we'd ever taken, I needed that encouragement more than ever. You helped me find the strength to tread on to the other side, and you were so right! If I hadn't had the faith to keep going, I'd have missed the tremendous blessings on the other side.
So back to tonight...Beth, I know everyone's faith journey is different, and Teri has to walk her own path. To her, you may just be an acquaintance, a friend of a friend, I guess only time will tell. But Beth, if I don't get a chance to tell you later, thanks for being the kind of friend who can speak God's truth to me in such a way that pierces me, challenges me, encourages me and spurs me on to know Him more. And thanks for being the kind of friend who is always ready and willing to make a new friend, I think you and Teri will really hit it off!
See you in a few hours!
Your Friend,
Erin
So back to tonight...Beth, I know everyone's faith journey is different, and Teri has to walk her own path. To her, you may just be an acquaintance, a friend of a friend, I guess only time will tell. But Beth, if I don't get a chance to tell you later, thanks for being the kind of friend who can speak God's truth to me in such a way that pierces me, challenges me, encourages me and spurs me on to know Him more. And thanks for being the kind of friend who is always ready and willing to make a new friend, I think you and Teri will really hit it off!
See you in a few hours!
Your Friend,
Erin
On day 1 of homeschooling, I established two rules; two rules that I believed would be all inclusive. Rule #1 - Listen and obey your teacher, a.k.a. Mom. Rule #2 - Respect your classmate.
On day 3, I realized the "all inclusive" idea is apparently not a 1st or 2nd grade concept. We are adding new rules daily, just to clarify expectations.
Rule #3 - Pencils are for writing ONLY.
Rule #4 - Do NOT stab classmate with a pencil, refer to rule #3 for further pencil guidelines.
Rule #5 - Notify teacher immediately if you have been stabbed with a pencil.
Rule #6 - No drinks at the table. (Learned this one the hard way).
I'm thinking we'll be at ten rules by the end of the week, and at this rate, we'll have a ruleBOOK by the end of the year.
On day 3, I realized the "all inclusive" idea is apparently not a 1st or 2nd grade concept. We are adding new rules daily, just to clarify expectations.
Rule #3 - Pencils are for writing ONLY.
Rule #4 - Do NOT stab classmate with a pencil, refer to rule #3 for further pencil guidelines.
Rule #5 - Notify teacher immediately if you have been stabbed with a pencil.
Rule #6 - No drinks at the table. (Learned this one the hard way).
I'm thinking we'll be at ten rules by the end of the week, and at this rate, we'll have a ruleBOOK by the end of the year.
The kids and I were working on "All About Me" collages for the front covers of our journals, Pandora was on the computer and Somewhere Over the Rainbow by IZ started to play....the room was full sweet music, magazine scraps and the happy chatter of my children. I stopped and drank up the perfect moment...it was Kodak meets Hallmark, and I felt completely at peace with my world.
And then it hit me - it's only day two and I've already used up every cute, creative idea I'd managed to come up with this summer. With 178 days to go.
And then it hit me - it's only day two and I've already used up every cute, creative idea I'd managed to come up with this summer. With 178 days to go.
It didn't take much personal persuasion for me to decide to take Luke out for a donut the other night (as mentioned on previous post). On the way out, we had an amusing exchange. Here's a little peek into the life of a my mild mannered fellow, who's decided to express his individuality in an interesting way.
Luke, you gonna get dressed, or go in your pjs?
Yep.
Pjs?
Yep.
How about underwear?
Nope.
Luke has slowly given up wearing underwear over the past 2 years, a habit that began gradually, but has increased to a frequency of 95% commando status.
I guess I'm just not an underwear guy.
Well, son, I'm not really sure that's something you get to make a matter of personal preference. I think wearing underwear is like handwashing, it's just the right thing to do.
They don't feel good. My underwear are tight and leave weird marks on me.
Sounds like we need to buy you some new underwear, maybe you've outgrown your others. Want to go right now, while it's just the two of us?
No can do. No...can...do....sis-tah.
Luke, you gonna get dressed, or go in your pjs?
Yep.
Pjs?
Yep.
How about underwear?
Nope.
Luke has slowly given up wearing underwear over the past 2 years, a habit that began gradually, but has increased to a frequency of 95% commando status.
I guess I'm just not an underwear guy.
Well, son, I'm not really sure that's something you get to make a matter of personal preference. I think wearing underwear is like handwashing, it's just the right thing to do.
They don't feel good. My underwear are tight and leave weird marks on me.
Sounds like we need to buy you some new underwear, maybe you've outgrown your others. Want to go right now, while it's just the two of us?
No can do. No...can...do....sis-tah.
The house is a little quieter tonight, just Luke and I are tinkering around. David and Lily have gone on their first father-daughter date night. This has been one of those "we really need to start..." experiences that we've been talking about since Lily was 3. She's now 7, and I was determined that unlike the "journal the cute things she says" or "write her a letter on each birthday," I would not let this fall by the wayside.
When I first asked if she'd like her daddy to take her out, her reply was "Sorry, I've got plans," although I'd given no indication of when! But the idea rapidly grew on her. All day she's tried to hide her anticipation, although starting to get ready 2 hours before their departure was a dead give away! When I told her she didn't have to wash her hair she said, "I want to so I can do that blow dry thing that makes it look so cute." As I watched her prepare for the big night - picking out a "fancy" shirt, putting on lip gloss - I knew tonight was the start of something very special in her life.
Though she didn't want to admit it, Lily was thrilled at the prospect of having David's full attention, but of course Luke was less enchanted by the idea. Although we've assured him that special "Dad-time" will be set aside for him too, he struggled with them leaving him behind. He's asked repeatedly what he and I will do "fun" while they're gone. I'm torn somewhere between my desire to teach him the life lesson that not everything she does will be reciprocated for him, and my own hankering for a French Delight donut from the Dunkin' Donuts!
When I first asked if she'd like her daddy to take her out, her reply was "Sorry, I've got plans," although I'd given no indication of when! But the idea rapidly grew on her. All day she's tried to hide her anticipation, although starting to get ready 2 hours before their departure was a dead give away! When I told her she didn't have to wash her hair she said, "I want to so I can do that blow dry thing that makes it look so cute." As I watched her prepare for the big night - picking out a "fancy" shirt, putting on lip gloss - I knew tonight was the start of something very special in her life.
Though she didn't want to admit it, Lily was thrilled at the prospect of having David's full attention, but of course Luke was less enchanted by the idea. Although we've assured him that special "Dad-time" will be set aside for him too, he struggled with them leaving him behind. He's asked repeatedly what he and I will do "fun" while they're gone. I'm torn somewhere between my desire to teach him the life lesson that not everything she does will be reciprocated for him, and my own hankering for a French Delight donut from the Dunkin' Donuts!
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