Feb. 18, 2009 - Busy Working

I've been busy as a bee lately and haven't had a moment hardly to breathe, let alone blog. But, I wanted to let everyone know that I'm still alive and kicking.

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Thursday, September 25, 2008 - Mommy Obedience School

Recently we added a new furry member to our family.  We now have one escaping Houdini hamster, one very squeaky refrigerator obsessed guinea pig, two fat and lazy cats (one with a penchant for silk flowers), two horses (who thankfully don't live in the family room), and now the piece de resistance, an adorable puppy named Murphy.

Just like parents armed with a few Dobson books, and maybe "What to Expect in the First Year" quickly find that NOTHING can adequately prepare them for parenthood, we came into dog ownership scantily clad in a summer's worth of "It's Me or the Dog" episodes, a copy of "Training in 10 minutes a Day" and the weighty looking tome "The Dog Listener."  Filled with notions of being the "pack leader" we took home our darling bundle of joy (and a basketfull of PetsMart goodies) and began our journey.  Suffice it to say, a few sleepless nights later I realized that it wasn't going to be a walk in the park!


Despite the energy, effort and discipline involved in being a good doggie parent, the little rascal has completely stolen my heart.  I am trying as Cesar Milan says to be a leader first and dog lover second.  We have tried to set boundaries for Murphy and teach him what they call the basic obedience skills (sit, stay, come, watch me...).  Right now Murphy knows all the commands, but will check first to see if I have a treat in my hand before he makes the choice to obey one.  He is learning and doing well, and we are learning quite a bit ourselves (and also loving being greeted with puppy kisses and more enthusiasm than a kid in a Disney store).

And so....all of this training, discipline, follow the leader obedience thing sort of begs (no pun intended) the question of just how much I have mastered my own course of obedience.  I believe that God is worthy of obeying, that His word is true, and yet I have to admit that sometimes I am checking for the big old treat before I step out and obey.  Unfortunately my own issues cannot be resolved in an 8 week course like we have had Murphy in.  But I can imagine now that God is using my life as His classroom.  Maybe the absolutely infuriating things I encounter (like slowly passing trains, or driver's who don't signal) are part of the program.  Maybe the enticing temptations (shopping, icecream, Nutella, home improvements, putting the children in school) are the equivalent of the juicy treat that a puppy learns to avoid and instead keep their eyes on the leader to wait until He says it's okay.  Maybe God is trying to teach me to stay....stay and bloom where I am planted, continue in an endeavor that I would rather give up on, etc. And, maybe those glorious answers to pray and wonderful feelings of His presence are better rewards than any temporary "treat" or re-treat could offer.  A bit of a crude analogy I know, comparing us to dogs, but I have to admit there are some interesting parallels!!

I hope that Murphy learns to love and respect me so that I don't need the enticement of a treat to motivate him to obedience.  Today he graduates from puppy obedience class.  Will I ever? :)

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Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - Procrastinators: The Leaders of Tomorrow

 

All I have to see is a group of freshly scrubbed Abeka kids enter the homeschool co-op and I can be seized with the guilt of my less than organized ways.  I find myself hoping that the kids will not mention that we haven't touched a spelling book since Septmember, or that I gave up on the Saxon Math and switched to an on-line program.  Or, that we have been studying early American history for two years now and just covered George Washington last week.

I kept telling myself that this year I would make a neat little Charlotte-Mason type schedule (I even downloaded free examples from simplycharlottemason.com  ) but to no avail.  We followed our own schedule of sorts ~ reading a lot together and independently , doing tons of copy-work (which my kids love. and listening to audio books as we drive around town.  (shhh....don't tell anyone, but we loved Jim Dale's brilliant voices in Harry Potter).  We read some great historical books and did a few memorable pioneer crafts. We worked on getting a morning chore schedule and have finally mastered feeding the cats and cleaning the litter box, AND more importantly having what we call "Jesus time."  The girls make their beds, clean bathrooms, can cook several easy meals independently, keep their rooms relatively clean, are learning to do laundry.  They get along famously, can ride horses as easily as play Bach and Mozart on the piano.  They love church, love God , love to read, roller-blade, play outside,and are just plain "good kids.  All in all they are healthy, happy and are learning despite my own less than stellar planning abilities, and the fact that I let them watch American idol, sometimes eat cookies for breakfast and chicken-nuggets for dinner. 

I guess I need to rest on the promise that "He who began a good work in me" is Himself not a procrastinator.  He is working on me and my children TODAY.  I can only cooperate and let Him re-train me one baby step at a time.  I am trying to simplify my life and to actually have a list of things to do...TODAY.  So, I haven't planned yet for next year, but TODAY we are still in pjs and plan to go to see "Narnia" at one.  I plan to enjoy TODAY....and I'll worry about more plans....tomorrow.

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Apr. 16, 2008 - Winds of Change

This past year and a half have blown by so quickly my head is spinning! I haven't had time to blog or visit my favorite blogs recently, but hopefully, all that will change soon. Until then, though, I just wanted to update my blog. More later.

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Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - It's about time!!!

The First Day of School ~ on the train to Chicago

One of the definite benefits of homeschooling is the freedom we have to do school where and when we want.   We packed up the newly purchased school supplies and found a cozy spot in the Amtrak dining cart.  Our family enjoyed a vacation, a museum trip and a very enjoyable start to our new year.

I apologize to my neglected friends in blogland.  The past year has been so busy that I haven't been able to even think about formulating a post.  Once time went on it seemed harder to start again.  But alas, Michigan winter has set in sending snow and some cozy days and the time seemed right.  So, a few catch up photos from the months of our blog silence:

Visiting Grammy and Papa in New York this summer
Read-alouds with Dad
Daddy-daughter dance
Peter-Pan play at homeschool Co-op
Sharing the love of horses with good friends
4-wheeling at Nanny & Grampie's
Experimenting with Quill pens

So, as you can see....the life of homeschoolers  is never boring!!!  Hopefully we will once again connect to all of those never boring families out there in blogland.  We have missed you.

Much love,
Kindred-Spirit Mom and the kids

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Apr. 12, 2007 - New Leaves, New Life

Spring has sprung with the wisteria blooms a fragrant memory and the magnolia trees about to burst forth in magnificent white fragrant blooms. I tend to mark time passing in the spring by the fragrance in the air, and there's no better surprise than a wonderful scent wafting in the air as I ride by on my bike. Of course, the downside to all these blooms is the amount of pollen in the air--or actually on my car. The poor silver thing has taken on a distinct greenish cast, which literally screams out to any passerby, "Wash me, please. My owner keeps waiting for the rain to do it--and it ain't happening." In fact, we are about five inches short on rain this spring, and even when the forecast calls for an 80% chance of rain, we receive nary a drop. Still, it's been good weather for bike riding and hope springs eternal that one of these days the weather forecasters will be successful and it will actually rain when predicted. Until then, I'll enjoy every breath, especially when not accompanied by a pollen-induced fit of wheezing. 

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Saturday, December 30, 2006 - Holiday Highlights

Here are some pictures of the best moments of our holiday season.  Rachel and Ally each recieved a college football hat ~ yes...we are a mixed family. 

Allison purchased reindeer gear from the dollar store and played Rudolph  periodically through the past few weeks.

We celebrated Jesus' birthday with a bunch of great homeschoolers.  We made crafts and each child lit a candle from Jesus' candle to represent how we take His light into our hearts.
Ella decided that the kitties were hers....it looks quite natural I must say!


Here is a great shot of all the homeschool piano students.  We have an amazing teacher, who passes along a passion for music and for God.  She had the kids do a Christmas recital at a nursing home.

  
Allison practicing her songs...The house was filled with music this year and it was just precious.


Rachel plays with a smile!

Willow.....my 40th birthday present (got her a bit early) and my favorite Christmas gift from my parents and Nathan ~ an English saddle.  My how my priorites have changed.  Last year it was a gift certificate to J.Jill!!

One more Equestrian shot....Ally riding Tango bareback.


Nathan and I at his holiday party.  I sang "Santa Baby" to him becasue he is such a great, frugal financial advisor!  Complete with text changes "Think of all the floors I've waxed , think of all the credit cards I HAVEN'T maxed."

And finally, a very dramatic reindeer pose.

Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and  we wish you a happy New Year!!!

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Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - Your scars are beautiful to God

Thanks to the Homeschool Minute I just found the author of the beautiful Christmas passage I posted last week.  Her name is Sharon Jaynes and you can click  HERE to go to her website.  While perusing her site I stumbled on a book that I think I will order called "Your scars are beautiful to God." I read the excerpt and it was great....but just like in "Jerry Macguire" she had me at "hello."   Just reading the title almost had me in tears!!

I have some whopper scars on this old bod!! (which will, incidentally, turn 40 in a matter of days).  The scar that troubles me most is a rather large keloid that sits in the middle of my neck line (about 2 inches from my collar bone) and causes me to dress like the flying nun.  I have trouble wearing anything with even the slightest scoop neck.  Imagine how hard it is to find a bathing suit that covers you up to the neck? A dermatologist removed a mole that he thought might be cancerous.  It turned out to be fine.  And yet instead of focusing on the postive side of it ~ and God's mercy, I still struggle with feeling like people will stare at it and that I will look like a freak.  For some reason it seems to be human nature for people to just  zero in and focus on scars, deformities and imperfections ~ especially our own.

I have used tons of make-up to cover up Mr. Scar lest he peak out and rear his ugly head.  I have worn extremely large jewelry over the spot....gosh, I have even placed double stick tape on pendants to be sure that it stayed hidden.  But maybe I have it all wrong.  Maybe, now that I am approaching 40 it is time to bear my scars, if not proudly, then with grace.  Afterall, I am learning to accept the inner scars that no one sees as part of God's plan.  Everything that has been allowed in my life can become a "Redeemed Treaure" if I allow God to redeem it.  I believe this with all my heart.    He brings beauty from the ashes. So why do I still want to hide this bit of ugliness?

I guess I do need to order this book!! Maybe I need to stop caring about man who "looks on the outward appearance" and trust God who looks at the heart?  There is definitely no piece of jewelry that can cover that which is at times truly hideous in my heart ~ and yet, even this God sees and continues to love me and say "You are altogether lovely, My Beloved!!"

These are my thoughts.  I will let you know what happens when I read the book!!  In the meantime....just let that title minister to your heart:

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Saturday, December 23, 2006 - Simply Love

I keep seeing and hearing this adaptation of the love chapter (I Corinthians 13) so I think God is trying to tell me something!!  It really blessed me and I hope it blesses you too.

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Thursday, December 14, 2006 - Celebrating the Season....and Cindy!

 

We have been so blessed to have our niece Cindy stay with us for the past few months.  Sadly, she returned to her Chilly Canadian home, where she was very missed, and has left us missing her (and the clean laundry she provided!!).  Some people can make a profound impact for Christ just by their presence and Cindy is one of them.  She radiates peace and love.  Her quiet and gentle ways made us feel very loved.  On her last night we all gathered at our favorite Chinese restaurant (where they know us by name and we even have "frequent eater" cards...after 10 buffet dinners you get one free :).  We insited everyone wear Santa hats.  I am sure that this helped Cindy to feel a little better about leaving the next day!!!!

 

No...unfortunately this little cutie is not ours!!  The owner's son was so enthralled by these crazy people wearing hats that he jumped right into the fun.

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