Sep. 7, 2006 - A boy and his rat!
Rats! I don't care for them much. Their feet work like hands, meaning they can actually use them to pick things up. Not long after this little rodent made his way into our home (which is a whole 'nother story!) I walked up to his cage to have a look. The little critter stood up on his hind legs and grabbed hold of his cage with his hands. It was so bizarre to me, as I am used to dogs and cats who just can't do such things! I won't even get onto the subject of his long, icky tail that reminds me of a possum. Ugh. The one bright spot is that when I see Ozzie he is usually riding on my youngest son. And I could never tire of seeing my sweet, little dimpled boy! So this morning when Alex appeared in his jammies ready for a hug and a snuggle, I paid no mind to the rat on his shoulder. I only had eyes for the rats best friend!!!
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Sep. 6, 2006 - Something Different
Well, we have started our new school year. And I have learned one thing already. What we are doing is NOT working. I wish I might have learned this a little sooner. The bookwork is great. A very practical approach to learning the basic subjects. But what we are missing is passion. Passion for learning the wonders of this amazing world the Lord has placed us in. My children will sit down and dutifully do their schoolwork...and do it well. But they aren't loving it. And I so want to nurture in them a true desire for knowledge and understanding. I want them to know not only how things work, but why. If left to themselves they explore everything, everywhere. Now I want to channel all that curiosity. I don't have the personality of an "unschooler". Deep down I always have a hidden plan and I run best on routine. But I also don't fit well with the highly structured. I think my ideal would be to dabble in the books long enough to grasp new concepts, leaving off the repetition. Then we would take those new concepts and test them out in daily life. Ahhh, but at the moment I am so totally unsure how to make that happen. And it doesn't help that I immediately come face-to-face with that horrid person in the mirror that tells me I am not educated enough to think outside the books. But I refuse to listen to her this time. I will look to my Lord who alone knows exactly what my children need. He who knows how they will learn best and be happiest is more than delighted to give me glimpses into the hearts and minds of my children. I will trust in Him to restructure what school looks like in our home!
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Sep. 4, 2006 - 8 months later...
Wow! Somewhere in the bustle of life I forgot I had even started a blog! I was reading a friends latest entry here tonight, and suddenly remembered I really am a registered user. What fun!
So much has happened in the time lapse. We have relocated to the mountains to a beautiful Bible Camp. We are somewhat isolated (okay, incredibly isolated!) but the sheer wonder of living amongst God's nature keeps us content. Our children are simply loving the freedom of exploration that we have. And I can say "Yes" so much more often now!!
I plan to keep a better record of our daily happenings. At some point, I may even tell friends or family about this virtual journal of mine!!!
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Dec. 29, 2005 - How blessed I am!
I woke this morning to the gentle pat and sweet whisper of my almost 7 year old son. He wanted to know if he was allowed to get up and play in the den for a couple of minutes. With eyes clouded by sleep and a voice not yet ready to speak, I just touched his soft little cheek and nodded. He tiptoed out of the room. Moments later, my tiny 4 year old son did almost the same thing. A little more awake now, I hugged that little body to myself and knew that now I must really get up. I walked to the girls room to find them lounging in their beds, just loving being together. I hugged my two year old and scooped up the baby for her morning milk. A short while later, I left the room to find that my oldest son had joined his Daddy and brothers. Upon leaning down to kiss him I came face to face with his baby bird who was riding on his shoulder. My dear boy was stroking and cooing to his feathered pet. I sat down beside my husband and was just struck by how blessed we are! The Lord saw fit to loan us five of His precious children and gave them the sweetest of spirits. There is no gift that could be wrapped in paper that could surpass what I already have!
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