Just a Suggestion

When you have two children asking questions, a dog who wants out, a husband in the mood to chat for a moment it is NOT a good time to cut your bangs.

I'm just sayin'...

This has been a Public Service Announcement brought to you by the Overwhelmed Mommy Association.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig...

Sunday night I kept feeling like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home..." Praying that if I'd click my heels I'd wake up and it would all have been a dream.

Unfortunately it wasn't.

But I was so blessed by your prayers. Thank you ladies, so very much. My heart was so touched. And it really helped me survive.

Until the vehicle incident it wasn't a bad weekend. Somewhat stressful, but not anything surprising. We celebrated my youngest son's birthday with family (the "real day" was last week). This weekend was also the one year anniversary of my mother's death.

I've been trying not to let the two events meet in my son's mind. When he is older I don't think he will have an issue. Grandma did not die on his birthday--but mighty close.

The van thing...just was one straw too many on this camel's back. And it was...ahem...rather pricey. Over $500 pricey.

But, if you remember back a bit I talked about us not moving. Thankfully that choice and others we've made (and GOD!!) have allowed us to have money set aside so we could cover the repair. It wasn't something we wanted to do. But I felt so blessed that we were able to do so.

The time the boys and I got to spend with my father was good. We spent time with my sister and her children. We visited our second zoo in eight days.

And so now I am home. Stiff from the drive. But so ready just to have my little idiosyncratic life back. I will make an attempt to catch up on my blogging over the next few days.

Be it ever so humble...











Thanks again for your sweet prayers.

Off in search of my pillow...

Julie

Prayer Request

The boys and I are on the road. My husband is at home. Four hours from here. Our vehicle broke down about an hour from where we are staying.

If you have a spare prayer could you offer it up for us for the repairs to be minimal, honesty from the mechanics and that the repairs be made in an expedient way.

Compared to what other people are going through, this is one of those teeny, tiny, very little, very annoying setbacks. But I am just a little overwhelmed. Everyone is being very kind and thoughtful, I just wanted to be headed home tomorrow morning. Whine, whine, whine...but I'm still asking.

But as I see it, my situation could have been so much worse. And the tow-truck driver was very nice and helpful. Small mercies.

Hopefully I will be blogging from home soon.

Thanks,

Julie

Grains of Gratitude

How does life go on after a loss? I'm not sure but it does. And it is by God's mercies that we continue to go along with it.

There are events which the pain fades mostly away. Those are the events that I try to remind myself and others won't be more than a "blip" on the radar five years from now. Six years ago we were in the process of losing our house--today it is not the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning. There are days I don't think of it at all. Time and space and much love and many blessings have filled the gap of that thing. And to be honest, I lost a house, not a home and the difference between the two is HUGE.

Then there are losses that involve people. I don't think those holes are ever completely filled. But we somehow manage to go on. And with time and God's grace those losses aren't always the first thing we think about when we get up in the morning. But there are always little points in the day when we realize things won't be the same again.

But that doesn't mean we live without joy. God is too good and even in our personal times of trouble and even watching the evil that invades this earth we need to cling to Him and know that His hand is over all and heaven waits for us.

This week I just want to say I am grateful for love; for His unending, unboundless love and also for the love of those who make my life a joy.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

I am grateful for you! Spread some love this week!

Brady's Bunch is where Grains of Gratitude originated.

Faith Lift Friday: Scripture and Song

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20



Treasures in Heaven
by Burlap to Cashmere

He said follow me
Strive to make my convictions right
Oh, my pride is hammering me down

(bridge) I've seen you crying
I've seen you on your knees
The wise man died so you can

(chorus) Store up treasures in heaven
Store up treasures in heaven
Store up treasures in heaven
Don't you wait for the rain to come falling down
Can I follow you?
She looked at me funny,
With compassion in her eyes
She said casually

(bridge)

(chorus)

down on you
You gotta stop dancin'
Dancin' with your head
You gotta stop dancin'
You gotta stop dancin'
Dancin' with your head
And just look to the heavenly skies

(bridge)

(chorus)

Don't let the rain Fall down on you.

Refrain

Visit Sheryl at taking the challenge for more faithful thoughts to carry you through the weekend.

The boys and I are traveling again this week. If I am slow to visit or answer an e-mail that is why. So many of you are on my heart for so many different reasons. Just wanted to let you know I am still praying. Driving is good for that.

Have a good weekend!

Julie

Return to Pooh Corner

From a sentimental mommy to anyone else who knows where I'm at right now. This song always melts me. Where does the time go? I sure do miss Winnie and the Hundred Acre Wood crew.

For my boys:

Kenny Loggins cartoon version with Amy Grant


Kenny's acoustic set

sniff...sniff...

...and All Along I Thought I Was Comic Sans Serif

You Are Impact

You are very unique and quite striking. You are forceful and aggressive. You never go unnoticed, and people recognize your power instantly. While you make your presence known, your message is a bit fuzzy. You are not the easiest person to understand, and you're not one for details.

What Font Are You?

What font are you? Let me know

Around the Kitchen Table--Talking about School

We finished the second of our “back to school” weeks last week. As I’ve said (ad nauseum) we school year round, so how can we be going “back to school?”

For us school does look different during different times of the year. This summer, during what was not always a relaxing summer, we focused on maintenance. It was more about honing math skills, reading some great books and some very light piano practice. There was a lot of dance. A lot. There were a few lazy days of floating in the pool, but not near enough. But, now, ready or not, we are back at it more intensely.

The goal these last two weeks has been: tie up loose ends, refresh and strengthen language arts studies, begin new math concepts, build on reading comprehension skills, concentrate on spelling and phonics, read, read, read.

The boys have also intensified piano practices. They will return to violin and guitar today. Over the summer I’ve been able to collect some piano music and books that we all love. Building a music library has been a goal of mine. It is helpful to have a wide variety so we can connect music to other areas, especially history and geography. Slowly, piece by piece, we are seeing this become a reality.

Also in the works for next week, is a unit study on the human body: senses and anatomy. There are so many good resources out there it is overwhelming and very hard not to purchase something, just because it looks so “cool.” I’ve accumulated some wonderful material already, so we are set—it’s just been hard not to be greedy!

In past years we have studied history with geography as the backdrop. We are going to reverse direction this year and focus more on geography and look at history through that lens. We’ve always incorporated the “Living Book” approach and my plan is to continue with that path. I’ve found that the boys retain more when they can relate to a character, either real or fictional, and have no problem sifting the realities from the stories.

To my great joy, this house is home to readers! It’s been harder with Boo, but we’ve found some subjects and authors that make him want to read, and sometimes even say, “Just one more chapter, please, Mom?” Music to my ears. I have a planned framework of readers and read alouds with room to add more from bunny trails and new interests.

One thing I’ve realized though, is that, while I love to write and they like to create stories and maps and their own comics, I’ve not pushed writing as much as I have reading. It’s evolved quite naturally and the benefit of that is that they don’t see writing as a chore. They do not sigh, groan, moan or fuss when asked to write.

But what I would like is for them to be aware of more tools that will allow their creativity to expand. So we are going to write. A lot. Letters, e-mails, stories, reports, plans—any good ideas of what else we can write? I’m considering, very tentatively, giving the boys their own (locked) blog space where they can practice some publishing skills and possibly be able to share their work with appreciative friends and family.

So for at least the next four months, school is going to be about the basics: “reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmatic,” as the song says; but also about geography, basic anatomy and more music. There are some art projects, I’ve not talked about and some foreign language study we’ve been inching along with, too. I was also gifted with a Bible and faith study program from the mom of the little girl who rides with us to dance. It was something I would never have looked at. But it turned out to be just the right thing for just the right time.

We are going to use, books, text books, workbooks, videos, field trips, games and hopefully some other tools. My hope is to occasionalliy share and highlight curricula and tools we are using, offering more book reviews and offering some reviews of other things that have worked for us.

That's were we are, and what I've been consumed with the last few weeks. It looks to be a year full of wonderful opportunities. We're looking forward to it!

Grains of Gratitude (In the Waning Sunday Hours)

Whew!! I’m tired! We spent the day at the zoo. Lions and tigers, sadly no bears yet, but, “Oh my!!” we saw a lot of God’s creatures today. What a blessing.

Eight years ago I was pondering what to pack in my bag to take to the hospital. Eight years ago I had no idea of all the joys and challenges that lay ahead of me all bundled into the baby I was carrying then.

This week Boo will turn 8! How did that time go by so fast? I know it’s a cliché, but it is so true and all you mommies know that I’m right. You change their diaper, you turn your back and they are not even toddlers, not little boys (or girls) but children. Tomorrow they will be going to college or finding their way in a new career. Isn’t God amazing? How can someone see a child born, watch them grow and not know a miracle is occurring before their eyes. Each one is a miracle.

So if you can’t tell already, I’m grateful for my Boo. He still hides around corners and tries to scare the daylights out of us (hence the moniker—Boo. Get it? Favorite thing to say—“BOOOOOO!”). He still likes to snuggle on my lap in the morning even though his legs don’t fit so well. For some reason he tells me I’m the best mommy and that I’m beautiful. Who am I to disabuse him of that nonsense? He choreographs his own dances, danced to his own compositions. He writes really intense and surprising stories—still a little short, but very dramatic. He creates costumes and personas all day long.

This child is also the child who forgets his math sometimes from one day to the next when he thinks it might be to his benefit. He’s my daydreamer and comedian who sometimes doesn’t know when to shut it down.

Boo loves little children and babies. He is gentle with them and with animals. He loves his dance teachers and his religion teachers and never, never disrupts their classes. He is a country boy who sadly is bound in the concrete of the city. He gives awesome hugs.

I’m grateful that I’m his mom. I pray God guides me and guards us every step of the way.

What are you grateful for?

The grateful and gracious mom, Christine at Brady’s Bunch started Grains of Gratitude. I’m always grateful to hear how much she loves her children.

It Almost Always Makes Me Cry

I've been told my maternal grandfather listened to opera. Since he came to America from Italy when he was 19, he had no language barrier for a good portion of opera works. I don't remember him listening, but I must have hidden memories of it. Opera moves me in a way few other musical styles do.

Britain's Got Talent brought to light two very young, beautiful voices. The first video is Andrew Johnston, a thirteen year old. The second is twelve year old Faryl Smith. Both did me in.