Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Sunday, Monday...now Tuesday
I'm reluctant to post a new blog entry because I love the picture on my previous post. I swiped that off of Dayspring's website. It is called "Beloved", you can purchase it through them. I am prayerfully considering purchasing it, I just don't really have a place that I could hang it. I did write the poem in my previous entry. One of my flashbacks of public schooling was thinking that every other line in a poem had to rhyme. Now after our first year of homeschooling and my reading about poetry, to teach more about to the girl's about poetry I have learned differently. Poem's don't have to rhyme. That poem came to me after my quiet time about a week before mother's day.
Our Mother's Day weekend was a good busy. The girls had their dance recital. Why I or my mother didn't take pictures of the girls all made up and in their costumes, I could not tell you? Guess we were caught up in the moment. I don't like putting a lot of make up on my girls. I'm more of a naturalist. Plus whenever I see my girls made up I have flashbacks of Jon Bonoit Ramsey and all of the pictures of her. Anyway....dance recital was great. They danced perfectly with great smiles and had fun. For us that is where it is at. We live in a highly competitive town. Actually we live in a highly competitive culture. My husband and I attempt to live by the principle of "seek ye first the kingdom of God". So in our town there is special competition teams for basketball, soccer, baseball and yes even dance. They are starting a competition dance team for Liz's age group next year. Wow...enough already we say. And we are not talking about the $$$$$ alone, but something different. We want our children to grow up and desire the things of God first and foremost, not man. But the other parents probably think we are weirdo's. Of course, we are all getting used to that after becoming a homeschooling family.
I struggle with some of the modesty issues in their dances. Especially Jen's age group. After Saturday's recital, I thought that my husband had almost made up his mind to leave this dance studio and go to one about twenty minutes away from our home. It is a christian dance studio. But after Sunday's recital, which was all of Jen's dances, he changed his mind. For now I know that this is best, and I submit to it 100%. I will continue to teach purity and modesty. A lot of my husband's decision to stay in this studio is that Jen does a great job in this setting. It is also very convient. The costumes for the recital are very tasteful. The best thing about dance is the confidence I see in Liz and Jen to perform in front of others. Plus they do have fun and stay active. We have a lot of dance recitals in our house throughout the year. 
Monday morning these two:
went to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It is sooooooo quiet here. And you'd think I'd be getting tons of stuff done. Well I'm not. Instead I'm taking this time to relax. Also to enjoy some talks with Jen.
Yesterday after dropping them off we went to Walmart, got a few groceries and stuff.
Then I came home and switched the laundry around. Then off to lunch and our new library in downtown Des Moines. It is a new cool-urbany type place. I'll be going back with the younger two and will take a few pictures. I found some great books. So I must get to reading them.
When I got home from dropping Jen off at her clarinet lesson, I was puzzled by the dryer not having dried the clothes all though it was off. So I turned it back on and went on my merry way.
Later around 4:30pm, the dryer did not dry the clothes, and it wouldn't work. So I call Mr. Fix-it-the magnificant, he CAN fix ANYTHING. Well, I also knew I'd be in trouble.
As I took my well deserved scolding, he said "sometimes you are like one of the children".
My reply " well dear, I've learned that if we are to have a successful marriage, I must be humble and meek and take what I'm deserving of." I say this humbly. Not one year ago I would have come back with a reply something like "well I'm college educated and I know that overloading the dryer will break it." But for yesterday and today, I don't need to do that. I'm wrong, his right, the end. By the way...only with the Lord can I do/say this, it isn't me...NO way. And I still got some rough edges that He's polishing, believe me.
And yes Mr. Fix-it-the magnificant did get it fixed.
He also bought me some wonderful Mother's Day presents and cards.
I've always loved the Willow Tree figurines, and had asked for a few of them.
I don't want to get into collecting them to much. I have a collected some Precious Moments, which have special meaning to us. But I don't want to get hooked into collecting more things.
I loved the day.We got up went to early church, then back home for brunch(which my husband cooked for us) with my parents. Then off to the dance recital, where I marveled at how proud I am of my Jen. After dance recital we stopped by my dear mother-in-laws to give her some presents. Then came home, relaxed a bit. Then my husband went and got us pizza for dinner. After dinner more relaxing and fun with the little ones. It was an enjoyable weekend, tiring but joy-filled.
Yesterday evening my husband and I went out for dinner to a Chinese buffet, then driving around. Jen is old enough to stay home alone. We enjoyed our date.
My diet is suffering from all of this eating out though. I'm maintaining this week, but no loss. Plus I really need to get off my back side and walk!!!
Today we did some school. I'm supposed to be planning the rest of our stuff for the summer and scrapbooking, but all I've done is play on-line and supervise the art/science projects Jen did today. Oh and clean a little and finish up the laundry. Oh and watch a great movie which I'll share later. I'm enjoying relaxing, but oh how I miss the sweet hugs and kisses of my little ones. They are so precious to us all here. Even Jen is tired of being the only one here.
We'll be going up to get them after Jen's clarinet lesson on Thursday afternoon. My mom likes being able to have some time alone with them, they are such momma/daddy girls. With us not around they are more fun for her.
Tomorrow is Jen's 11th birthday. If you could stop by her blog: doglvr and wish her a Happy Birthday I'd really appreciate it.
~~~~~~~pondering the working of His sovereign grace and love in my life,
Linda
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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CTdittmar
I enjoyed my dance recitals growing up so much. They really built confidence in me and are such a source of fond memories now that I'm grown. I loved your mother's poem on your last post...so heartfelt and touching with that LOVELY picture. Excellent! Have a blessed day, friend! Christa
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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - Dance Studios
Posted by
We too have the pleasure of dealing with dance studios that are "competitive" and full of inapproriate clothing. I was blessed to have one of my best friends teach a dance class at our church. She is a professional ballerina and now a mom of 3. I was so thankful to not have to worry about my girls wearing inappropriate things and doing dance moves that were not ummm...you know. Anyway, we have now moved further away from our old church and I am facing the same dilema. But for now, we have decided to take a break until the best solution surfaces! I miss those days at our old church! (sigh)...God has something in mind!!! :) Have a great rest of the week...I'm sure you can't wait to see your 2 little treasures again! Blessings!
Edited by sonshine4u on May. 16, 2006 at 6:52 PM
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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by AcceptanceWithJoy
It sounds like you had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. I did too. My husband is traveling and my daughter took matters into her own hand and treated me to a wonderful meal out!
As Marissa has aged, I have increasingly prayed about the appropriateness of her dress. Thankfully, this years fashions are not quite as revealing as last years.
Tell your daughter happy birthday and treat her like "Queen for the Day!"
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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - I enjoyed reading this post!
Posted by EEEEMommy
This area has been competetive too and we've refrained from allowing ourselves to get caught up in it. My son's soccer coach from the Fall switched to coaching the Travel team this Spring and wanted him to join them. I'm thinking, HE'S 8!!!
Whatever, sports and all are excellent and can be good for learning discipline, hard work, sportsmanship, grace, etc. but yes, let's "seek first..." and then if they happen to be Olympic or Bolshoi caliber and that's the plan God has for them, then that "will be added"!
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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by rachelle
Such beautiful pictures! I'm glad you enjoyed your Mother's Day.
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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Prncsstefy
You guys are such great parents! I admire how you are handling the dance situation.
I used to dance competively when I was growing up. It's a huge commitment of time. Definately takes away from family time. Luckily you didn't see a lot of inappropriate costumes "way back then."
For now I'm glad that I'm my dd's teacher, as I have all costume control. LOL
Hopefully I'll find a decent studio when we move back to the US.
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - Right here with you
Posted by homeskoolmom
We stepped out the first studio dd took classes at because imo, some of the "modern" dance they did was just slutty looking-- esp. for a 5 y/o.
Now, we are dealing with immodest dress in our daughter's ballet class (until this year, the costumes were modest and we have been pleased). She is to wear a 2 piece with a white leo under it for a show they are doing, dh decided it's tolerable, but we are stepping out after the show in July. She's been taking ballet for 5 years--time to try something else, maybe we'll find a good 4-H group close by.
God bless,
Christine
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - dancing feet
Posted by Mommy2fourCs
I dont know if you read my blog on our oldest dancing the last two weekends but I wanted to comment here. I know how you feel about the dance clothing and some of the dance moves but I have to say that we have been very very blessed and protected by God in the fact that the studio we go to is very very modestly dressed and the moves are not as suggestive as other studios we have watched. Thank you Lord for that. Another thing I am so grateful for is the lack of importance on winning. Sure I was totally proud and excited for the daughter's age group and how well they did but the girls were so cool about it. They were really there to have a fun time and great if they won and who cares if they didnt. It was great to watch as you saw some studios just going crazy if they didnt do as well as they thought they should have. I guess our studio is like that because they put so much time into having fun and doing our best and not worring about the trophies. The difference in thinking really shows.
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - Sorry it's sooo long! LOL
Posted by
Your post touched me in so many areas of my life. First of all, I completely agree with the competitive thing. We live in a HIGHLY charged competitive town with sports. Its almost like an After School Special, its so ridiculously overdone...lol But seriously, we have some good athletes among our boys, but we do NOT put that first in our lives,( not to say we dont play sports, we have them in many) and we have been frowned upon for not pushing that. It's just not #1, and so many of the games and practices are on Wed nights or Sundays, and we have to decline. This makes us unpopular at times, but other times I think they appreciate our convictions. (who knows for sure) plus we homeschool as well, so I'm sure you understand what I mean.
Well the modesty thing hasnt been a large issue with our boys, let's face it they dont make skimpy stuff for boys so much...lol Thankfully. The shorts for boys are almost capris now a days, but we do watch the baggie, let me show you my underwear, pants. I dont think so.... but with hsing its not a big issue for us.
It sounds like you have such a wonderful life with your family. I loved how you held your tongue with your hubby about the dryer. I actually giggled out loud when I read that. Sounds like me trying to be good too, and believe me it's God and not me also!
I am glad you had a great day, and let us know about your movie and if you have any great books to recommend.
Bye for now!
Edited by trinaleah on May. 17, 2006 at 9:52 AM
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Hi. Congrats. I just read on EEEEMommy's blog that you won her photo contest. Hop over and read it. My washing machine is konking out so I can relate to your problem with the dryer. It will probably be too expensive to fix it. Your little girls look so sweet and adorable. Can you give me the link to your daughter's blog?
Have a great day.
Blessings,
Ai Boon
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Leigh2
My girls have their dance recital coming up too...next week we have pictures. They are so excited. :o)
Also....I LOVE the picture!
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - My dd is in ballet too.
Posted by mamma1420
I completely understand the dance issues. I just had a conversation with dance teacher about make-up. She told me, if your dd doesn't wear it she'll be pale up on the stage. URGH! The makeup will be very understated, I'm only doing blush and a little lipstick. No mascara. Luckily, if we wanted to continue dance there is a Christian dance studio 30 min from us. But we're done with ballet, dd wants to do Karate now.
I came by to invite you to laugh with me...Come on over and see. ALso, here's my idea- tell me what you think of this, I just put a message board on my site mamma1420 for classical homeschoolers. I put the link on classicalmamma too. Here's the link http://triviumacademy.17.forumer.com/ This one will be so any classical hs can talk together. Tell what you think. If you think this is a waste of time, tell me that too. Everyone can put a link on their blog to it as well. Jessica (I figured it didn't hurt)
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - Hi!
Posted by Leigharev
Your daughters are lovely! If I were to collect something, it would be Willow Tree figurines. I always give them as gifts.
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - hi
Posted by Leigharev
Maybe it's the age that Liz does not like to read more than once? My boys love to listen to the same book over and over. They will sometimes even ask me to read the book again immediately after I just read it. Sometimes I oblige, sometimes not.
I don't think I will continue with FIAR. It's pretty hit and miss for me.
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Majormom
Isn't it strange how "lost" we feel when the children are gone and we have down time to ourselves. I've learned to use it beyond "chillin' out" but I still feel lost and mine are teens! Hugs, J
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