|
Lavender and Roses
Saturday, March 15
Lent crept in.
We have slowly been developing our family traditions for Easter since our oldest was born. Mostly they have grown as we have and reflect our family journey with God.
The Sunday before Easter is a short reflection on Palm Sunday, either at church or at home.
The Wed before is the start of passover - a hunt for the leavened bread as a representation of our sins. We burn it the following morning as a preparation for Passover, and Easter.
Thursday is Passover, a simplified Christian version, which has been part of our lives in some form or another for several years. Often we invite another family to share this time with us. Interestingly enough many of those families drift out of our lives the following year - also has a traditional watching of the "Prince of Egypt" video, something that crept in over the years, and at some stage will disappear but hasn't yet.
Easter Friday we wake to the cross draped with black, I make hot cross buns and either we head to our church service, or when their isn't one (and sometimes the churches we have been in don't) we curl up and watch the Jesus video through.
The cross stays veiled until Sunday morning when it is surrounded with the families choice of easter eggs and the celebration of new life enjoyed.
But Lent well , Lent hasn't been part of it. Each year I have thought about it and then missed the start. This year was much the same. But slowly things have crept in, and the last few weeks have become a time to consider our lives before God.
In my room a space has grown to bring the things I need to leave with God, and say goodbye to. In my social circle activities have been brought to mind that need to be pruned off. In our family the gathering of thoughts for things we need to hand over to God when we burn the bread that reflects our sin has started earlier. We are being pruned and re-settled for a new year. The result is a healthier , happier home. The same issues exist outside of us, but our reactions are healthier. Life is good, and I am grateful for this time to reflect and examine our lives in light of God's unending forgiveness, and loving help.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, March 5
Rain
After weeks of hot, overcast weather, the odd patch of drizzle and dry burnt grass it feels like Autumn has come. The skies have opened and rain has been falling since the early hours. I woke to the drip drip drip of the rain leaking in our bay window . It only does this about once a year, in autumn so I think it relates to having the small windows at the top open.
I've been looking forward to the change in seasons - in truth I've been looking forward to the clear, fine days of autumn, this hot, overcast dry weather, the promise of rain but no rain was starting to get frustrating.
|
• Comments
(1) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Sunday, March 2
Morning Escape
Down at the lake,
Water lapping,
Sunlight dancing.
Sparrows fighting over the last crumbs of bread,
The ducks fed, they drink,
Look hopefully for more
Mill around waiting,
Slowly depart.
The lake is quiet again.
I'm sitting below the normal water mark,
A dry summer - the lake a meter down,
Algae dead on the beach,
Lake grass under the water,
Exposed to sunlight gain new life.
Around me,
Ducks preening,
Children settling
A peaceful sunny start,
Patiently waiting for rain.
Yes, on Wed morning down at the lake, I forgot my camera. Which maybe explains why I had time to reflect.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Sunday, February 24
Getting My Head Around Mastery
It sounds really simple - you teach to the level that your children are ready to learn.. sometimes stretching them, sometimes easing back and letting them get their confidence, sometimes continuing on the journey while they gather information.
It really sounds simple.
I work hard to get the level right and get everyone happy, then I look at what they could be doing. I glance at someone's schedule for the next year, or the next grade, I consider the big picture from "X" home school education supplier, and it falls to custard again.
You really would think I would have gotten the idea by now - unfortunately I'm still getting there.
We have improved our daily learning times so much simply by working where each child is. We are happy when mum concentrates just on one lesson, one week, one objective. We find our rabbit trails, end up discussion theology, finding links pulling it together, exploring, growing and having fun. Then I look at the goal written by someone else and suddenly I'm pushing.
My husband put it nicely - one really good day and my expectations jump back to where my "perfect kids" would have been had I been the "perfect" home school mum. As I do that I loose sight of the reality of learning the lessons that God has for us, the lesson that he has given me - a unique person and my three unique children.
In the midst of all of this is a small voice whispering that it's time to stop looking at the big picture, time to stop planning and to start learning. That the next step will always be waiting for us just ahead. That already I have studies and re-studied the accepted classical path, and no its time to take our journey. To reach out for the next thing, and to enjoy the journey.
I just have to remember this beyond Monday morning.
This Owl turned up in our back yard almost a year ago, on one of those days where I had taken my eyes of the possible and was stressing over the impossible. /it stayed for 2 days in our suburban back yard before returning to more natural surroundings. It is a special reminder for me to trust...
|
• Comments
(2) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Sunday, February 17
Finding our roots
Our country has long since given up on its Christian roots. Sad but true. Growing up in NZ in the 70's and 80's my education about my country's history was limited. Times have changed and I suspect that in some aspects it is better, but the Christian influence that came with the white settlers is all but forgotten.
Following on from the American influence I figured we should look at memorizing our national anthem. OK i did learn this in school, mainly at assemblies back then, and of course it is a regular feature of Rugby games.
I was amazed to see what the whole hymn looked like when I read it, and how it and God's response had shaped our national identity.
God of Nations
God of nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star,
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.
Men of ev'ry creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our State,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.
Peace, not war, shall be our boast
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our free land.
Lord of battles, in Thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.
Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our free land.
From dishonour and from shame,
Guard our country's spotless name,
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.
May our mountains ever be,
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto thee,
God defend our free land.
Guide her in the nations' van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy Glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.
- Thomas Bracken
|
• Comments
(1) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Friday, February 15
English resolved.
The final decision I hope. Some things are just really hard to let go of. Our primary program this year is gong to be Mother Tongue.
My youngest will start at the beginning of book one and do whatever seems useful going forward.
My middle writing shy boy will start at part II of the first book. With lots of Aesop style review of grammar and a mix of progym and other writing exercises.
My oldest will start an in-depth grammar year from Mother Tongue II,
Across the board I want to get a depth of grammar, diagramming and mechanics that can put the fears of red pens and college professors behind me.
But I also want to have fun. Classical writing became a confuziation (Dancing Butterfly's invented word) for both my daughter and myself. Going back to the core, it started to make sense again, and so the aim is to pick out the projects and add them in for analysis, grammar review and writing as we go.
And yes there had to be more. So many fun things so little time. We're adding in poetry blocks (based on CW poetry for beginners), because they were so much fun last year that I really want to build on them this year. Especially if I can find a way to include my middle child who had so much fun listening in on his big sisters lessons, but not getting to do any of it for real.
I'm sure we will be back to Classical Writing Homer in time when out confusion gives way to confidence, I have learned so much in studying this way, but for now I need to digest what we have learned, shore up the grammar foundations and enjoy seeing the fun in writing.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Friday, February 15
Seeing the Wood for the Trees
I've spent a lot of time lately second guessing myself, wondering, pondering, praying. Have I got it right. Is school on track. Frustrated with the hiccups, disillusioned with the interruptions and unwillingness from my three beloved pupils who just don't get what I'm trying to do here.
Some days I can walk away proud of my kids who they are, what they are doing. Some days - and it can be the same day, I can feel like it is all falling down around my ears in disarray. Why? How is it that depending on my mood a day can seem so different.
I started today - disillusioned from having seen the downside. Doubting curriculum, doubting how my kids were growing, concerned at lessons that dragged and attitudes that well - didn't fit my quiet family at the table mold. I have three wonderful, active, independent kids, I love them, but compliant they are not. And yes my picture perfect world wishes they were. They hype, they bounce, they wriggle, they object to assignments, make it known they would rather be outside, and wishing desperately that we could just settle and enjoy a quiet, ordered, sane, morning I miss the wood for the overpowering awareness of growing trees.
Sitting with a friend this afternoon, I realized anew how much they were doing, how much I enjoyed what we did together, how well it all fit together, and begrudgingly how much their energy and spark is a positive if untidy influence.
Today I was encouraged as I talked curriculum and methods with my friend, I realized how passionate I was about what we were doing, how we were schooling. While their are rough edges to polish, hurdles to overcome, disciplines to embrace, sometimes it's my ideals that need to get real.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, February 6
Tagged
Hi,
I've been quietly beavering away working through our language arts programs and wondering what it will look like. my aim simply to get a base direction for lessons that give some continuity to our days.
At the same time its been natural with the start of school to re-focus my energies in that direction and less online.
My apologies to the blogger who tagged me I enjoyed your site. As I bounced around blogs I keep seeing people who were struggling with life, and couldn't bring myself to add to their load. The sadness left its mark, and since this year we are working on keeping a prayerful, thankful and contented heart. I left the challenge on the shelf as it were. I need to keep the positive, grateful attitude, around here too many years have been wasted otherwise, dwelling on what was neither helpful or changeable.
I'm not talking of the idea of positive thinking, just stopping conversations when we reach points of disrespect, or where we realize that we are simply giving into bitterness and bringing the other person and ourselves down. I have to confess the edges of gossip bring us their as well, nothing good ever comes from these places in my life.
Anyway my apologies for being quiet, bear with me as the year settles I am sure I will have more to say.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, February 6
This was the tag - any takers for heading forward.
I have been tagged by Paradice Academy
Here are the rules:
(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
My six non-important things/habits/quirks are:
1. I'm nearly always up by 6:30 am in the morning, but don't talk to me until I've had a cup of coffee.
2. I'm only really comfortably dressed when I'm wearing denim, preferably a light denim dress or skirt.
3. My daughter tried really hard to convert me to taking on pink as my favorite color - but gave in and now really likes my favorite - blue.
4. I love working in the garden and absolutely hate having to clean my hands up afterwards.
5. I really wish I could sing, or play and instrument. I do neither but enjoy leading worship at church. Some of us just like to keep life complicated.
6. I love seeing daisies growing in uncut lawns.
The six random people I've tagged are:
Please - I got stuck in working through the last bit - so feel free to pick it up and run with it. If you are willing to leave your name in the comments section, I'd like to know if there were any takers.
|
• Comments
(0) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, January 23
The Call of the Wild Goose
It seems to be the way of all my plans, just when I think that I have sorted a simple off the shelf program, something reminds my that while it may be a good path, it isn't quite the right path.
Inside the grammar debate is a yearning for a simple natural way to cover writing and enjoy learning.
Strangely the winds of change were in the early emails from my first email group. A group of ladies working out how to bring together grammar, good writing and their children's own compositions.
Lots of work, but free, simple, ready to pull together the rest of the subject areas.
As I've prayed and considered, sought advice from the wise, there is a voice calling out - to walk forward and take each day at a time.
To trust.
Easy said this is my learning ground not necessarily the place I want to wing it.
Enjoy, have fun, laugh, make mistakes, struggle, learn....
Trust.
An invitation to follow the Wild Goose.
Maybe somewhere in our home schools each of us has to do that.
To follow the path that God has for each of us alone.
To enjoy the journey, without fear of the destination.
Follow, trust, walk on, one day, one lesson at a time.
Follow Him.
I have provisions for the journey, there is the old program on the shelf, the echo's of older emails and the spirit they contained, a good grammar to answer the questions and teach us the means, others who have walked this path, and always God's Spirit promises to guide - as long as I relax, trust and follow.
I'm looking forward to the journey.
(For those that are wondering - the Wild Goose is the Celtic symbol for the Holy Spirit)
|
• Comments
(2) • Post A Comment! •
Permanent Link
|
|
|
|
|
