Last school year was extremely difficult for me personally. Without publishing a lot of personal details I can really summarize it best by saying misunderstanding, harsh judgement, loss of friendship and a lack of compassion were my world for way too long. I was thinking about what a difference this year has been for myself and my family this past week.
We have been under a Dr. ordered quarantine; a direct result of the H1N1 visit to our house. I woke this morning thinking on difference in our family's school year because this week we have been recipients of an outpouring of compassion from my homeschool support group. A quick email to our Yahoo group of connection from one well meaning friend and before I knew it phone calls were flooding our house, meals distributed and problems solved for our family. At a time when everyone should have been walking away from us to save their own health they were walking toward us; the hands and feet of Christ.
I think as church members we all are very good at this. Walking towards the wounded when they are ill, but are we always as sensitive when the pain is not as obvious? I was challenged by this thought; are we as sensitive when the hurting are suffering from emotional pain? Do we run toward one another when others walk away because the social stigma of sticking close is too much? Is this not the greater challenge?
I realized when thinking on this that this was exactly what had hurt me so deeply last year. At a time when I needed the love of close friendships to walk toward me they walked away. For whatever their reasons they left. Betrayal, loss, loneliness.....it cuts like a knife to the heart especially when it is dished out so easily. Peter learned this lesson the hard way in the garden and all four of his gospel writing buddies thought it important enough to record it so that we might learn from it. When a friend is hurting don't pretend you can't see it, even if the cost is great. Walk toward them, disregard the danger, love them. Don't deny what they mean to you. Don't walk away.
I wondered if I have tragically been guilty of this same crime and mentally noted to learn from it. I believe with every hardship comes a lesson. God doesn't allow us to experience the evil of this world without offering up hope and promise or at least an agreement that evil should not. When I recognize that betrayal is unacceptable in God's eyes I am comforted and warned. I note to tread warily through life in an effort to never hurt anyone as I have been hurt and remember to offer forgiveness to those seeking it when it happens to me.
End of my sermon on this rainy, October day surrounded by viruses and compassion.
• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
It was the first week of school and I was already aggravated. My dear 12 year old daughter needed to start her Latin lesson for the first time; a leftover from the previous school year. I asked her where the necessary DVD set of lectures were and she gave me a stereotypical 12 year old response. "You had it last. I don't know where YOU put it". After a gentle reminder that she was responsible for her own school supplies and that we absolutely couldn't move forward in Latin without the DVD's she began her search for the missing set.
Nearly an hour of her time was wasted before she broke into tears of desperation. The DVD's were gone, gone, gone! She had looked everywhere! Her brother helped her look searching out an armoire used for school storage, several bookcases and of course her desk. Frustrated by the lack of responsibility and the seeming black hole that had obviously taken residence in our home I told my daughter that the DVD's must be found or, or, or......Well, I really didn't know what, but certainly purchasing a new set was not an option.
I helped her in her search and her father did too. We checked the bookcases, other DVD boxes, the DVD player.....nothing, nada, zip. Frustrated I lectured my daughter again about responsibility as I tried to spur on a loose memory in her. She was in tears and my heart began to melt. She had no idea what to do next and I reminded her that we hadn't prayed about the situation. She nodded, sniffed and the two of us took that moment to surrender our DVD problem to God.
"Lord, you are all knowing and certainly know where these silly DVD's are. Please, God if it is your will help us to find these DVD's because we cannot find them on our own."
The next day we had a history lesson about the Martyrs of the early church. My daughter's assignment was to write out her testimony or a story about how God had worked in her life. As she finished her assignment she walked to the nearby bookcase to return the history text. I was in another room chatting on the phone with a friend who suddenly placed me on call waiting. As I waited patiently for her return I heard my daughter yell at me from the other room.
"Mom! Did you put this here?"
"What?" I answered.
Micah, my dear 12 year old daughter, brought forth......the Latin DVD's!
"Where did you find them"? I queried.
"You will NEVER believe this", she said. "They were sitting right on the bookcase when I went to return the history book!"
"Had they fallen down behind another book"? I asked.
"No!" she exclaimed. "They were RIGHT THERE!"
I smiled at the obvious gift that God had given to me and Micah. Our simple prayer had been answered and right at the moment that Micah was focused on thinking of Him as a result of a history assignment. I asked her if she had told God thank you for finding them and she said not yet.
I said, "Well THANK YOU God! for finding the silly DVD's for us and showing us once again who is really in charge".
My friend was back from her call waiting interruption and I couldn't wait to tell her about the miracle at our house. Homeschooling at its best!
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Ten years ago I rushed my four young children through their day in an effort to attend the closing program for the library's summer reading club, eat lunch and still make it to my routine OB appointment in the late afternoon. I was annoyed that I hadn't been able to find a sitter for the Dr. appointment which to me always meant a moment of tranquil solitude while waiting to be seen. Taking four children with me to the appointment would entail reading Clifford the Big Red Dog and Dr. Seuss instead of People Magazine. Hopefully, I would be able to keep everyone happy and stress could be kept to a minimum.
Ironically, the wait was short that day and my "party of five" moved quickly through the exam process of being weighed and listening to the baby's heartbeat. The baby's heartbeat....the baby's.....wait a minute.. The nurse couldn't find that heatbeat for some reason. No worries...the Dr. would be able to track that little guy without a problem. It was evident that the baby was just playing a little game of hide and seek.
My gentle and patient Dr. had no luck and whisked me to room number two for an impromptu ultrasound. My four kids squealed with delight in hearing they would get to see their little brother or sister on the ultrasound. I caught my Dr.'s very serious and sad expression as he gazed at their enthusiasm and suddenly wanted to run. The ultrasound confirmed our worst fears....the baby had died.
Surrounded by my four little kids and my Dr. I found myself having to answer my eight year old's question as to why I was crying. Arrangements were made to have my Mom pick up the kids and get me to a nearby hospital. I would need to deliver this baby as soon as possible as the risk to my health would increase the longer we waited. My routine office visit turned into my worst nightmare and a life changing event for all of us.
About two weeks later we held a memorial service for our little boy, Ian David. I was having a very hard time processing through the grief associated with child loss and decided to write my son a letter. I wanted to read the letter at the service as a shout out to the world that I was in pain. I wanted the world to cry with me and was selfishly trying to faciltate that.
What I intended for evil God chose to use as a testimony of His love and providential care. So many people at the memorial told me my message "changed" them, helping them realize the value of life. It brought meaningful tears to their eyes. I had inadvertently been used by God for His purpose. Understanding this truth actually allowed me to see that Ian's life and death had some sort of meaning; a purpose.
Over the past ten years I have shared Ian's letter with many people by email and personally at the time of child loss. I am always amazed at its impact and thank God each time for bringing more meaning and value to my son's life. August 18th will mark the 10 year "birthday" for my little boy. It was the beginning and end of his life, a tragedy, a deep aching sadness for me, but an anniversary for our family which marks a more intimate knowledge of God's love, compassion and intervention in our lives.
I am sharing Ian's letter on this blog to honor his memory. My hope is it will bless you greatly too.
My Dear Sweet Ian,
I just looked at your pictures once again. So small, so perfectly formed, God’s little miracle, lying in a little bassinet. As I look at your face I see the little boy you were becoming. Perhaps it is a mother’s love or a gift of vision from God, but I can see you. My sadness, Ian comes from having to say goodbye to tomorrow with you. No dirty little tennis shoes to trip over by the door, no chocolate covered face to wipe after your first Oreo, no sweet smelling baby to snuggle with. I wanted to tell you so many things. Mothers are like that---chatty.
I wanted to hold you in my arms snuggled up in little receiving blankets smelling of Dreft. We would sit by the windows in the big white wicker rocking chair in my room, rocking, singing lullabies and watching the snow fall. There is lots of snow in January in Ohio and for the first time of my adult life I was looking forward to the snow because it would mean winter and you!
You have made such a difference in our lives, little Ian. Some people say,”Oh, just 17 weeks- the baby must not have been very big”. But, oh Ian, the changes that your little life brought to this family are the size of mountains. When I found out you were on your way, the joy I felt was incredible. I know this is a common experience for many women, but I must admit, little Ian, it took me a long time to embrace the reality of a new pregnancy with joy and not fear or worry. You, little man, brought that gift to me. As you grew and I grew I was so excited because each day brought me closer to meeting you face to face. People would tease me saying “Five Children! Oh! How will you cope!” Never once did I fear, because I finally realized motherhood was not about me. Children are God’s gift to a family to make it stronger and never a burden or inconvenience. You and God brought this gift to me. Thank you!
Your life brought joy to your brother and sisters. Courtney and Samantha were looking forward to being ‘babysitters”, miniature Moms. We would look at little outfits when we shopped and imagine you wearing them. When Jonah was loud and charging “dragons” through the living room we would give each other a knowing look, shake our heads and say, “Oh what will it be like with two little boys making noise”. We were looking forward to the chaos.
Jonah, your big brother was planning adventures with you. You would share a room with bunkbeds, you on the bottom of course, and plan your little boy adventures. He even announced to us one day that he’d better learn to change diapers.
“Why?”, we asked.
“Because”, he said, “when this baby is born I’m going to share a room with him and I’d better learn to change his diapers!”
Dad and I laughed and told him we were sure we could help him out with that.
When we would see commercials on TV of little babies, Jonah would say, “Will my little brother really be that small”? “At first”, I would say, “but then he will grow and you can teach him all about being a boy”. Jonah loved you and will always love you.
Micah, although too small to express herself, knew you were coming. She loves babies. As she held her baby doll or saw a baby somewhere she would say, “Baby!” with joy and recognition. “Yes”, we would say, “that’s a baby and you are going to get a new baby at your house right after Christmas. Did you know there is a baby in Mommy’s tummy ? Your little brother or sister”? Sometimes, confused she would look under my shirt and say, “Baby?” Near the end of your pregnancy, she occasionally would pat my tummy and say, “Baby” with a smile of understanding. She knew you were with us.
Your Dad does not have the soul of an poet and is usually a man of little words. He is a logical thinker that loves to solve problems that drive other people crazy. He is a wonderful loving father and even though you did not get to spend time in his company he loved you.
Daddy was the first person to announce your impending arrival to cousins and aunts and uncles. We had decided to wait a few weeks to make sure things were “okay” before we told family and friends about you. A week later, we were at a party and guess who was leaking the best kept secret? Daddy. He was excited about having a new baby to hold.
In the past month, he had begun to talk about you and how wonderful that you would be born in the winter. All of your brothers and sisters were born in the summer months when days are long and busy. Daddy’s thinking was that being born in the winter would give you time to sleep peacefully at home, growing and getting healthy and strong before meeting the rest of the world. It would give our family time to bond as we snuggled by the fire, watched you sleep in your little bassinet, and rested in the quiet peacefulness only home can bring.
I knew how proud Daddy was of you after a conversation I overheard at a wedding last month. He saw an old work associate who he hadn’t spoken to in 11 years. They were catching up on each other’s lives when the man asked Daddy if he had any kids. “Yes!” He said proudly, “Five”. I had to remind him that number five, you, were not officially here yet and perhaps he should explain that. It didn’t matter Ian that you were not in his arms because you were already in his heart.
Our family is planning a big vacation to Disney World in September. We talked about you and joked that you, Micah, and I would not be able to ride the roller coasters this time. We would pick out a sweet little souvenir, perhaps a Pooh Bear, to give to you when you were born. We would always tell you the story of your first vacation to Disney World and remember our first vacation together as a family.
You are so much a part of our family, Ian David. We have cried buckets of tears over the cancelled dreams, tomorrow's memories lost, and the pain of your presence being taken from us. The comfort we find is from God and caring, family and friends. We know you are in a perfect place with no sorrow, no pain, no fear, no loneliness. Our world, although it has its Disney Worlds, is not a perfect place and you have been spared. You will never have to look at a beautiful flower only to have it make you sneeze, enjoy the beautiful sunshine only to have it burn you or fail in love with someone only to have them break your heart.
The love you are experiencing is beyond my little mind, but I thank God for eternal life, eternal love, eternal comfort for you and all His children. We will miss you sweet boy and as we go through life’s stages we will always wonder, “What if Ian were here?” and remember our love for you.
As painful as it has been to lose my dreams of your growing up and growing older with me, I praise God that you were in my life. You have brought joy to this family, but even greater a bond for us that will never be severed. We now know that nothing, even death, can separate our love for each other. There are a long list of earthly memories lost, but I have come to realize Ian they are my problems, not yours. For you are in heaven and as painful as it is for me to let you go it is better for you. True love, I have learned, must be unconditional and self-less. God expects that of parents.
How does a mother say, “Goodbye” to her child? Well, she can’t. It hurts too much. So today, I am here to say, “Au Revoir” sweet boy. I have always loved the French language, France and now I am so grateful for that culture because they have a simple phrase which allows me to say goodbye” without finality. “Au Revoir”. It means until we meet again. And so, I don’t have to say, “Goodbye”, but “See you later!”
Love, Mommy
• 2 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
It's deja vu! Last year right about this time I was anticipating the impending graduation of my first child from our little homeschool. I found myself wondering where the years had gone, sorting through old photographs, preparing a speech and party. It was overwhelming, but I knew at least I would have two years to recover as my second child was due to graduate in 2010. Then my sweet, 17 year old daughter came home from her 3 month long mission trip this December and announced she needed to be done with high school. Really? Are you sure?
There was no question as to credits earned or her ability to handle college work....she was already enrolled to start college in January as a post-secondary student. We both prayed about the decision and in early February, she became a Senior in high school.
Her Senior year came to completion May 28th at the conclusion of a wonderful little homeschool recognition night. I am re-printing my speech to her that evening in honor of her and in an effort to share with all of you that are wondering how a homeschooler can graduate early. Congratulations dear Samantha!
Sammi, ma chouette, you did it! We are standing here tonight celebrating a long journey for you my little reluctant homeschooler. I know there were many days when you thought this day would never come, but I always knew it would. I always knew you could.
I remember the day I told you that Dad and I had decided you were going to homeschool and not join your sister at
Although there have been some bumpy moments I think it is safe to say we managed to keep you singing and dancing throughout the years. Dad and I have always enjoyed being a part of your audience. Our laughter, applause and appreciation of you will never end.
As I looked through the volumes of photos I have taken the past 17 years searching for photos for your slideshow I couldn’t help but notice a constant theme jumping out at me. One was your infectious smile that never seemed to be missing. The other was the love you have for your brothers and sisters and friends. What a testimony to your life these photos are because they show the world you are a girl with endless love in her heart, joy to share, and boundless energy and spirit.
I have loved being your teacher for the past 11 years. I know I haven’t always been your favorite person, but you have always been one of mine. I guess I was supposed to teach you many things, but many times I feel I have been the student. I have constantly admired your courage, boldness and endurance. Your fierce determination continually inspires me and your ability to wisely dissect situations has brought me peace on many occasions. Sometimes I look at the beautiful woman you have become and wonder how on earth I could have been a part of it all. To say I am proud of you is such an understatement.
Last fall when you toured with the Continental Singers our family learned what it would be like if you weren’t home. It was horrible. We were all walking around with holes in our heart struggling to keep our smiles as we faced the world. We all realized that we are crazy in love with you and that our lives are better because you are here.
I have been putting off this speech for weeks now. As you know I am terrible at goodbyes. Graduation is in some ways a giant goodbye. When Micah, Jonah and I were planning your little tribute they just shared with you Micah said, “Wait. I don’t understand. Samantha is graduating from school she isn’t graduating from this family”. She was right, but as a Mom I know that tonight is the end of many, many wonderful years of us all together everyday. You have a gentle, natural quality about you that brings out the best in your siblings and bonds us all together. I will miss that very much. We will all miss you very much.
Jeremie 29:11
“Car je connais les projets que j’ai forme sur vous, dit l’Eternal, projets de paix et non de malheur, a fin de vous donner un avenir et de l’ esperance.
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Animal Kingdom has become my least favorite park at WDW only because when we have visited in the past it has been beastly (pardon the pun) hot! There is nothing worse than standing in the Florida sun staring down equally hot animals who I bet if were asked their opinion would rather be at the beach too. This year our visit was in January and it couldn't have been better timed for Animal Kingdom Park.
I would like to say that I was wowed by the animals and enraptured by their natural beauty, but because I have a 7 and 4 year old I spent most of the day, not in Africa, but at Camp Minnie Mickey gathering highly valued autographs while my husband hung out with the older kids riding Mt. Everest and other wild rides. We did manage to sneak in a family trip on the African Safari jeep adventure and we weren't disappointed. The crowds were barely existent so we flew through the line at record speed. Boarding the jeep we were greeted by the driver who explained each animal as they came into view. We hit an unexpected "speed bump" about half way through when a rhino decided it was going to challenge the jeep in front of us causing all touring parties to wait for animal control to divert the rhinos. It was a great reminder that the animals are truly wild and will do what they want--- Disney ride or not.
We also got to see an ostrich having "words" with an animal control jeep challenging them to move out of her way or else! I loved every minute of the unexpected incidents imagining what a real African Safari would be like. Ironically, it was the Safari ride where I left my newly purchased from the eye doctor (expensive!) sun glasses on the seat. My 11 year old had been sitting beside me and when we got off the ride told me as I frantically looked for the glasses, "Oh! I saw those on the seat, but I thought that's where you wanted to put them." Oh my!!! So.....not having money to replace the sunglasses I squint at the northeast Ohio sun and think of Africa. Well, at least Disney's version which is okay by me.
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Spring is beginning to creep into northeast Ohio and I am feeling the need to clean, re-decorate and even freshen up my blog. I checked and it has been since JANUARY since I have had anything interesting to say. That is just ridiculous. LOL
Actually, I have been very busy fulfilling my duties for TOS Review Crew testing and writing about loads of wonderful curriculum for the homeschool. Check out my other blog here.
Being a part of the TOS Review Crew has been an amazing, God-directed experience this year. I have met so many wonderful people, been privy to so many wonderful new homeschool curricula and had a hoot writing all about it on my blog. TOS Crew is comprised of some seasoned bloggers who have taught me a great deal. Most recently, April E taught us about the fun of "memes". I discovered that my mentor, Heidi Strawser has a meme called Destination Disney and was too excited to jump on board and participate. You can find Heidi's blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi/
So...to honor Thursday as Disney Day you are all getting my first contribution to that. Enjoy!
Sunset Blvd.: Hollywood Studios
My family and I have been going to Disney World for 15 years. We try to take a family trip about every three years depending on impending births, etc. We just celebrated our 6th trip and for the first time traveled in January. Lucky for us most of the Christmas decorations were still up, but most of the crowds had left. We traveled from January 1-8th; an ideal time for weather, crowd and price issues, by the way.
Having never experienced the splendor of Disney Christmas I felt like a kid visiting for the first time as I looked at all the decor which in true Disney style was truly amazing. My favorite, favorite, favorite thing of the whole trip took place in Hollywood Studios, however, on New York Street. I know this was supposed to be about Sunset Blvd, but you will understand why I have to write about New York Street in just a minute.
We had just finished dinner at The Sci Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant which is an experience in itself. There seemed to be a huge crowd walking towards "The Osborne Family Light Show" which was around the corner and down the street (New York St.) We decided a small walk after dinner would be a great way to end the day and followed the crowd to check it out.
Oh my! "Light Show" was such an understatement. The entire street was wrapped in Christmas lights! I read a sign that said 5,000,000 lights had been used and I think that might have been a conservative estimate. If the color weren't enough some of the lights blinked on and off in time to Christmas songs which were being broadcast from a magical location. I literally stood in the midst of a giant crowd in the middle of the street with my mouth hanging open, speechless and enraptured. It must be what heaven will be like.....beautiful beyond imagination!
Frozen by the beauty, captivated by the music and celebration, I certainly wasn't expecting more, but oh yes! there is always more at Disney! Standing in 70 degree weather with my family, enjoying the beautiful splendor it began to "snow". I am from bitter cold northeast Ohio and snow in January is not beautiful beyond measure here, but to be warm, and feasting on a visual and auditory Christmas treat only to have it snow was perfection. I felt like I was playing a part in a beautifully scripted Christmas movie about a Mom who's Christmas wish came true. Surrounded by her dear family, some of whom I had been separated from all Fall, captivated by Disney magic.....well, it is a moment that I thanked God for immediately and I will never forget.
Below is photo which doesn't do justice to being in the midst of the lights. I hope the story inspires you however, to go ahead and splurge on a family vacation to Disney. It is worth the investment.
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Many thanks to Sheri, my fellow blogging buddy and TOS Review Crew member. She gave me my first blog award. I am all "verklempt". :-)
Above is a picture of my award. I love it! Now, if I can figure out how to add it to my sidebar I might have to receive the techie award. LOL
Have a blessed day!
• 2 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
The weather was amazing.... 75-80 degrees fahrenheit every day. It was as if God had ordered it up special for us; the sun-starved northeast Ohioans. Roses were blooming, the sun was shining and entertainment abounded for 7 wonderful days. We ate gourmet meals in Epcot, rode Dumbo in the Magic Kingdom, watched stunt cars at Hollywood Studios, and marveled at the beauty of God's creation at Animal Kingdom. The older kids were thrilled with roller coasters and the younger ones with life sized characters come to life. It was the perfect vacation.
Disney works really hard to help everyone have a "vacation of a lifetime", but it wasn't the Disney magic which made this vacation perfect for me. It wasn't an incredible stage show or even the amazing food and culture of World Showcase at Epcot that caused me to want to photograph every detail of every day. It wasn't even watching my 7 year old being asked by Prince Charming to dance at Cinderella's ball or the incredible, amazing, out of this world Christmas light display at Hollywood Studios which synchronized its lighting to Christmas music. Really, it wasn't.
The magic was found in the time spent with each one of my wonderful children and husband. As I watched the wonder of the seven and four year old I was reminded of the swiftness of time as their faces reflected the memory of my 19 and 17 year old as young ones. Standing next to my grown and nearly grown children I was reminded of the gift of family and how my life has been so rich and full because of these people. Their presence reminds me of God's plan for my life and how much greater it is than any I could ever have imagined. The magic was the capturing of the moments in photographs, memories, laughter.
I am now convinced that holidays are best spent in simple, yet wonderful ways. Our famiy is unanimous in agreement that the best Christmas gift to give is time for each other. By stripping our holiday of fancy wrapping and gifts we can focus on who God is and the majesty of His gift of relationships. Is that not, what Christmas is a reminder of anyway? It was just over 2,000 years ago that God provided us with a physical Savior in Jesus Christ so that we might be able to have a relationship with Him and spend an eternal amount of time enjoying it.
Thank you, dear God, for the holiday which reminds us to stop, ponder and treasure all of these things in our heart.
"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart"--Luke 2:19
• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
I just got back from the movies with my kids. I took them to see the opening night of "High School Musical 3". My seven year old had been in countdown mode all week giving me daily updates to the big event. I was dreading it really. "Not another Disney movie", I thought. "It will just be a bunch of smart mouthed kids in an unrealistic setting". Boy was I wrong!
I laughed and laughed. I cheered the team. I wanted to break out into full fledged clapping, but caught myself with a reminder that I was in the movie theater and not watching a live performance. The movie sucked me in from the beginning in a magical way that only Disney can. I wanted to sing. I wanted to dance. I wanted to be in high school again. The magic was infectious and so much fun that even my four year old son was soon "chair dancing" with his stuffed dinosaur. From 4-44 we were all held in an amazed wonder of entertainment artfully crafted to do just that. It was perfect timing.
I just had a very stressful week. Friendships I had trusted in and well intentioned actions were unraveled during this week of my life. A simple event blew up and turned into World War 3 and I still can't figure out why. I found myself wondering, "What is the point? Why do I even try? Why does life have to be so serious and hard?"
Sitting in the theater I realized that life shouldn't be so serious. It would be good for all of us to add a little song to our heart. Conflict should bring about dance and music to let off steam, not harsh words and hatred. Life should be a musical! Think of it! You are irritated by someone's perceived lack of sensitivity, you approach them to "tell them off", but the words come out as music and the two of you start to spin and twirl in dance combat. Before long a smile has crept across everyone's face as they realize they will live happily ever after. The plot of every good musical ends "happily ever after" If only.....
My family has been compared to the VonTrapp family by well meaning teasers mainly because of our love of song and dance and the fact that there are quite a few of us. This particular person saw some of us at a production of "The Sound of Music" and ever since has greeted us with "It's the VonSpoerndles!" Tonight as I sit soaking in the afterglow of a sweet, positive, adorable family musical I can think of no greater compliment. I hope my family will always be able to find their song and dance and never take life so seriously that the music fades. 
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
My youngest son, the baby of the family is 4. He is at that adorable age of wonder, optimism, curiosity and whitty commentary. Even though he seems to always time his potty breaks the minute we need to start eating dinner, decides to "decorate" my personal journal with unrestrained artistic enthusiam and sneaks snacks up to my bedroom where he covertly watches Disney channel during school hours, there is a charm about him which makes me smile and treasure even the bad moments. Perhaps it is old age, perhaps it is my eldest children's old age or perhaps I am finally learning to relax in my parenting just a bit, but I found myself relishing in the joy and comedy of the age of four the other day.
I was sitting at the computer trying to catch up on emails and free-lance writing jobs when Aidan walked into the room. Disregarding my seemingly busy workload he instantly started chatting with me. My instant reaction was annoyance thinking, "When can I ever get anything done". My second thought was, "Pay attention Mom, because some day you will miss this little boy". The second thought won out as I let Aidan interrupt my thoughts and work to show me how I too could become an expert Kids Knex builder in just three easy lessons. I pretended to fumble with the instructions and he patiently guided me through the process. His tiny fingers holding mine and gently moving the pieces into place. "Good job Mommy!" he announced as I "conquered" my first creation. He loved being my teacher and was so proud of his student.
I looked in his eyes and tried to memorize that twinkle, the curve of his face and adorable smile. I had had a particularly difficult week and this little bundle of energy was offering up a bounty of sincere, loving encouragement. My life suddenly didn't seem so overwhelming or difficult. I was reminded that I have a four year old, who loved me and thinks I "hung the moon" several times over. This little interruption to my busy evening had slowed my thoughts enough to look around and count myself blessed, not stressed.
Since I also have three teenagers I am trying to soak up the 4 year old spirit to carry me through. Unfortunately, as the mother of teens I am reminded on a daily basis that the rose colored glasses are off. Somewhere between age 9 and 10 their glasses were lost and I became hugely flawed. Now there are days I fear I can do nothing right no matter what my motives. I know it is not a true interpretation of my mothering skills, but I do occasionally miss the dedicated wonder of a 4 year old which I used to enjoy from all when they were young.
I often wonder at what God was thinking when He chose to bless me with six kids. When I struggle keeping up with the adjustment of setting my college aged daughter free while discussing the inappropriateness of potty talk with my four year old, I really wonder. But, it is times of reflection like these that I realize I am really the lucky one. I get to watch both ends of the childhood spectrum at once. I stand in awe many times at how quickly time passes and sigh deeply. Today, however, I am thankful for my four year old, because he slows it down just a bit for me everyday.
• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
It's cold today! Cold and gray and spitting rain on occasion. Anyone who has visited northeastern Ohio for more than a day knows that this is common fare around here. I always tell my kids that you have to be tough to live in our part of Ohio. Gray skies roll in around October and remain for the most part until late May. I guess someone told the weather that it was officially October therefore, the clouds have arrived.
As I sighed heavily many times today at the weather, my thoughts couldn't help but reminesce of sunnier days filled with flowers. Daydreaming is my little survival kit for dark, dreary days.
If you have been to my home you know the most impressive piece of landscape I own is dinosaur-sized weeds. I'm not sure why the weeds always respond as if on Miracle Gro, but nonetheless, flowers, shrubs and trees are resistant, while weeds remain prehistoric in their enthusiasm. If I had to depend on my ability my daydreams of gardens would have to come from works of fiction. Fortunately for me, my friend Elizabeth has a passion and gift for growing beautiful flowers.
Elizabeth and I met when our oldest daughters were little and now they aren't. We have been "bosom friends", as Anne of Green Gables would say, for 12 years. She adores all things English and educates me accordingly. Her English garden is a passion of hers that she shares readily with everyone. Being a dear friend gives me privy to many hours sitting in the garden with of course, tea to sip and bumble bees to watch. Once you are settled in a comfortable chair in the garden the world slips away and so do your worries. I have called it "enchanting" on more than one occasion. A gray October day makes me wish I could escape to her home for a dose of garden therapy.
Elizabeth understands the importance of beauty in the world. Her garden, of course, is representative of that. She understands the need to daydream and the creative spirit. Along with my mother, she is my biggest fan, greatest cheer leader and dearest friend when evaluating my writing. She will tell you she wishes she could create beautiful music or write poetry, but I think she misunderstands her gifts. For without her passion for flowers, her dedication to the science of horticulture and her willingness to share them the enchanting little garden of my daydreams today would not exist.
Some people dream and some people inspire the dreamer. I am blessed to have found a true friend that understands my need to dream and enjoys the process with me. Together we spend many happy hours discussing, dreaming and encouraging one another. Thank you Elizabeth, my bosom friend.
• 2 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1
Fall officially arrived according to the calendar this Monday. My children and I had a brief discussion at lunch on Monday reviewing the merits of Fall versus summer. Summer as I have shared before is the cream of the crop, the top of the line, King of the Hill, A-number 1 season in my book. Can you hear my enthusiasm screaming at you? The love affair I have had with summer is long standing and therefore has never allowed for an open embrace of any other season. "But why Mom"?, asked my 11 year old. "Fall is so pretty and the weather so perfect", she campaigned.
"Well", I tried to explain and found my excuses were getting weak. "Perhaps I don't like Fall, because I can't enjoy it. I'm too busy!". Aha! Had I just revealed a truth of my overly scheduled life?
As I traveled about during the week, I pondered the reality of the Fall season. "Look at those trees, just beginning to turn color, the pumpkins stacked neatly by the road, the reds, yellows and greens of the fall mums", my thoughts shared with my heart. "Do you feel the gentle breeze of a perfect 70's degree day?" "Can you see the gentle golden wash of sunshine over the landscape"? Like a stubborn child being wooed, my heart began to recognize what I had been missing in my limited love affair with summer. Fall is God's final gift to my northeastern Ohio world before the trees are bare, the snow is flying and everyone must burrow into their homes for a five month winter filled with gray.
I realized in my hurry of a new fall schedule that I was neglecting the colorful treasure placed right before me. Forgive me God, for ignoring this glorious season. The colors, the smells, the delicious fresh cider and apples. How could I have neglected these gifts for so long and only focused on what I had left behind in the summer months?
I began to feel older and wiser. The beauty of Fall gave me a new appreciation of the depth of God's care. As I raced in the car taking my children to their activities, the radiant splendor of God's creation slowed my pace enough to minister to my harried spirit. He knew my heart, my aching sad heart, and chose to touch it with an awesome palette of color and wonder available only in His world. The gentle breeze on my face and the rich fragrance of harvest reminded me that God provides in all seasons of life.
May God bless you with the beauty of Fall, the quietness of Winter, the energy of Spring and the calm relaxed spirit of Summer.
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
We started our school year again on Monday, but not until after the funeral. Our sweet little cat, Muffin fell sick last weekend and slowly slipped away late Sunday night. I was grateful to Muffin for holding on past Saturday, my oldest daughter's birthday. No one wants a family pet's death anniversary the same as your birthday no matter how old you get.
Unfortunately, Muffin was the victim of allergies early into her stay with us. She was not allergic, but rather the allergen for 75% of the household. When you have to balance breathing over the comfort of the cat, you quickly choose breathing and move the cat outdoors. I always felt a bit guilty over her homelessness, but she never seemed to mind. A friend showed up several years ago, affectionately known as Dash, to keep her company and all seemed right in the land of cats---our garage.
That was until last weekend. My husband came home from work on Friday to announce he didn't think one of the cats was doing too well. Indeed Muffin had laid herself underneath the grill being stored in the garage and was breathing slowly. She remained in that position all weekend even after we moved her to the grass and sunshine during the day on Saturday, then back to an old lawn cushion for comfort in the evening. She let us know early on that she was giving up and we needed to be ready to say, "Goodbye".
So school began on Monday with a beautiful outdoor graveside service in the back of our 2 acre lot. My husband graciously dug Muffin's grave and my 11 year old and I fashioned her coffin. My six year old gathered some flowers and we all shared happy memories of our dear sweet kitty with the tiniest meow you ever didn't hear. We will miss Muffin, but I am grateful that we all had the opportunity in the midst of this busy Fall season to gather together as a family and share our memories.
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
My second oldest daughter left Tuesday morning to tour with The Continental Singers. The three month long mission trip was brought to her as a huge gift from her heavenly Father. She is a singer/ dancer kid who has always longed for more chances to perform, travel and participate in a mission trip. The Continentals spread the gospel through song and dance as they travel across the United States, and on her tour, the country of New Zealand as well. It is an opportunity designed for a kid like mine and God brought it to her last winter. We have been preparing for her departure ever since through fundraising activities, prayer, planning, and shopping.
The night before Sammi left I was struggling trying to help her finish the final details of preparation. My heart was beginning to voice its objections to letting her go while the rest of me was just trying to work through the check list. "This is a great opportunity". "She'll be fine". "You will be fine", were the little mental phrases racing through my head as I helped her wash clothes, count spending money, determine if she had met all of her financial support requirements, etc.
I should have known, but didn't realize that God was watching me and smiling. Earlier in the weekend Sammi, her Dad and I had been concerned we still needed to account for some of her financial support needed for the mission trip. A last minute email was sent to the home office of the Continentals in California over Labor Day weekend which I fully expected would not be answered before her plane took off on Tuesday. As I busied myself around the house Monday night I checked emails only to see that an answer had been sent and the latest report was that she only needed $3.05 to complete her financial commitment. Wow! In a little less than six months God had raised nearly $6000 for His child to use to pay for her expenses on a mission trip He designed for her. Why was I surprised? Because, I always underestimate God.
Joyfully, I skipped to the dryer immediately after sharing the good news email with my daughter and husband . We were on a high from understanding God as Provider and feeling mighty special. I opened the dryer to pull out a stack of towels and gasped as I stared at a little blue piece of cording/ribbon. The ribbon itself was not awe inspiring it was the story behind it.
This piece of cording, the main portion of a very special bracelet of my youngest daughter, had been missing for over a week. The aforementioned bracelet, a gift from friends in France, had accidentally been washed and dryed inside the pocket of some jeans. Unfortunately, only parts of the bracelet had been recovered upon the discovery of the faux pas. For over a week I had been frustrated by the loss, knowing I couldn't replace the missing piece, but realizing that nothing could really be done about it. The ribbon-like cording was gone like an errant sock to the mysterious land of dryer victims. Lost? "Oh no, it's not lost", chuckled God. In fact in His weird mysterious way He chose to use that silly piece of ribbon to show me once again that stress and anxiety is simply because I am holding on to things too tightly. He placed that little blue string right in my face to tell me, "I have the number of hairs counted on her head"....
Every detail in my life He knows. He knows my angst over a silly little bracelet and can fix it in a nanosecond. He understands my mother's heart filled with the anxiety over my 17 year old daughter leaving the nest. He understands. He is here, there, everywhere, even in the depths of dryers, households, or wherever that silly little blue cording had been hiding. My daughter would not be traveling alone. By showing me that little blue cord God had whispered to my heart, "I will be with her every step, every breath, every moment of her journey. I have a plan for her and she is right where she should be."
I love it when God whispers because it is then that I feel the most protected, assured and loved. Although I know God can speak in a big booming voice or through burning bushes, for me He has always whispered subtley, yet miraculously. It is during these special quiet unassuming moments that I see Him working in my life.
Praise God for little pieces of blue ribbon and well timed emails. We are never alone.
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
I woke up this morning feeling like a patient the day after surgery; a little sore and dazed, but understanding a new beginning has dawned for me.
The surgery was yesterday. It wasn't a literal surgery, but as painful as one. My husband and I moved our daughter, first born baby, into her dorm room. She will attend The University of Akron, the same college I did, beginning Monday. The irony of the whole move was the constant stream of '80's music playing in the courtyard of the North quad. Hearing the music, walking towards a dorm which my friend had lived in some 25 years ago, but this time with my daughter as its newest resident did not help me feel festive or joyful as intended. Instead, it brought to me a flood of college memories and a realization that my daughter's adult life was beginning that day. It was the overture of independent living for her and all her peers.
The lump in my throat grew large and those dreaded tears began to flow down my cheeks. I looked around at all the excitement. Gold and blue balloons aloft, music playing, upper classmen dressed in special t-shirts carrying clipboards and sporting reassuring smiles, all creating a party like atmosphere for the new residents. Parents and kids walked eagerly towards dorm rooms carrying boxes, totes and bags filled with treasures and new supplies for their new beginning. What was wrong with me? Why could I not capture the joy in the air? My head kept arguing with my heart saying, "This is what you have worked for! Get excited already! New relationships, challenges, experiences and a phenomenal education await her!"My heart just kept repeating, "I just want to hold her a little longer!" "I'm not ready to let go!"
I thanked God silently for my dark sunglasses to hide my red eyes and carefully brushed the tears as they fell on my cheeks pretending they were sweat from the hot summer day. I smiled my fake "so happy" smile and prayed my daughter would be so caught up in the excitement that she would not notice. "Just breathe", I told myself. Deep breaths, smile honey for one more photo for Mom, climbing the stairs of the dormitory, opening the dorm room for the first time, I ploughed on through the surgical procedure of separation.
When we had her unpacked my husband and I left to attend a parent orientation meeting. Immediately after the brief meeting, we returned to my daughter's dorm room to say our "goodbyes". Her new room mate and other new friends were all there, decorating, laughing, enjoying the music playing from their I-home. She smiled at us, introduced us and then glanced hesitantly towards me as if to say, "You can leave now". Brazenly, I grabbed her for one last hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I love you", I whispered as I felt the final cut, knowing the surgery was complete.
Back in our car in the midst of a puddle of tears, I called my Mom. Hearing her voice brought forth more emotion as we bonded on a whole new level. She assured me the pain would lessen, but reminded me of the truth of what I had realized that day. This was definitely a new beginning for Courtney and I. I told her I had thought it would be easier, that I felt like someone had just told me my right arm was all grown up and cut it off setting it free. She said, "I know" and cried with me.
God bless the mothers of the world. They bring foth life, nuture it on and set it free. Their love is pure, giving and sacrificial; a true reflection of God's love for His children. Now I truly understand the fullness of that truth. 
• 5 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
“The Old Schoolhouse Magazine” has gone digital! A digital magazine is a new concept for me, but since I am a true bibliophile my curiosity over this new media for books and magazines won out over tradition. My recent brief yet careful test drive of the Summer 2008 issue enabled me to experience the world of a digital magazine subscription and left no paper trail.
Interested digital subscribers to “The Old Schoolhouse Magazine” simply subscribe, pay on-line and instantly receive a downloadable copy at their website, www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com. The $16.95 price for a digital subscription is a $8.05 savings from the traditional hard copy subscription. The instant gratification and convenience of having your favorite magazine on your computer is another definite advantage to a digital subscription. All websites referenced in advertisements or stories within the digital magazine issue are highlighted in blue and provide live links to their internet sites. This handy aspect allows you to instantly jump to websites for further research with a click of a mouse. I found this aspect extremely helpful and enjoyable as I read through some advertisements I had missed with my hard copy.
Helpful navigation tool explanations greeted me opposite the front cover of the magazine. This short education helped get me up to speed with the technology of the digital format with a very small learning curve. As I clicked to turn subsequent pages the virtual pages actually curled up providing an illusion of turning the pages of a book. This provided me with the visual satisfaction of thumbing through the magazine; however the pages turned too slowly for my tastes. The speed of the page turns might be resolved with a speedier computer than I currently own.
I have a couple of tool bars on my computer screen which did not allow me to view the entire page of the magazine at a glance. I found it frustrating to scroll up and down the page ever so slightly in order to view the entire page. Another negative was the type size of the first view of the pages. (Think 6pt. font) The smaller font made it difficult for me to scan articles in order to know whether to read more in depth. With a simple click anywhere on the page the smaller view is magnified, however my old problem of not being able to view the whole page at once re-surfaced. Since I am a bit “old school” in the arena of books and magazines I found this to be a big adjustment and one I’m not sure I am ready to embrace.
Although I am not a fan of digital magazines, I believe the presentation and ease of navigation of “The Old Schoolhouse” digital issues are well designed. If you are not sure you want to commit to a whole subscription of digital magazines you can purchase a single copy at www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com for $5.95. If you decide you miss the feel of the paper between your fingertips you can simply print off the issue on your home printer and call it a day.
• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
For those of you who love to get organized do I have a planner for you! For those of you who love the idea of being organized, but find it a bit overwhelming (cough, me) do I have a planner for you! I just had the opportunity to view the new 247 page Schoolhouse Planner offered by “The Old Schoolhouse Magazine”, www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com It is one of their numerous e-commerce products being offered on their website which provide instant gratification after purchase as you don’t have to wait for the items to be shipped. The planner can be instantly downloaded to your computer, is easy to navigate, and so if you are inspired and in the mood to organize you can get started right away. Nifty huh?!
I had heard great things, but my initial skeptical reaction was “how different can this planner really be from all the others? And $39?!!” After viewing just a few of the pages I soon realized that this was definitely the “superman” of all planners/organizers and that $39.00 was an incredible bargain. With this one tool you can record keep for your homeschool, organize your personal life, keep track of the history of all sorts of appliances, your garden, books/videos read, keep an inventory of your pantry and homeschool library, and on and on. The best part for an organizationally challenged person like me is that the forms are all “fill in the blank” formats so as long as you can fill out a form you can get your life organized. An added bonus of the planner being in e-book format is that all of the links mentioned throughout are live taking you immediately to schoolhouse store products, blogs and websites of authors or curriculum, home-making sites, etc. This planner is not only an organizational tool, but a huge resource list of everything you ever needed to know about homeschooling.
The table of contents provides you with instant access to any page by simply clicking on the title of the page. I found this extremely helpful as I navigated through the planner for the first few times. I did not need to waste precious time scrolling through pages of irrelevant information just to find that recipe I saw in the month of August for Cheeseburger Pie. Everything included in the planner, no matter how insignificant is included in the Table of Contents.
The calendar section of the planner is presented in a two page spread format. The pages are easily customized on your computer allowing you to add important events before printing out the 81/2 x 11 sheets. I loved typing in our family’s important dates, but did find the scrolling up and down as I searched for the correct side of the calendar to be a bit tedious. The larger calendar size was perfect for posting onto our school room wall serving as a beautiful solution to the family calendar. Being a visual person I especially liked the bold dark red gridlines and the bright black type of the days and memos I had added. Everything looked clean, crisp and official when I printed it out and hung it up. An added touch is a watermark of an old one room schoolhouse which runs across the middle of both pages; great for those who prefer a bit of style for their posted calendars.
Scattered between each month of the school year are articles from home education experts. This feature wove the inspiration of a mini homeschool conference throughout the months of the school year. The articles were short, relevant and inspiring. Topics included unit study education, writing instruction, foreign language study, math, science, geography, communication, history, chore training, art and homeschooling through high school. The beauty of these articles are the point and click live links which allow you to finish your research or shopping recommended by the article without having to get up and run to your computer. This simple feature helps the homeschool parent streamline their efforts and save time, a precious commodity for any family.
Mixed throughout the calendar pages and articles each month is a plethora of reference lists. These lists include such things as Famous Composers, Countries and Capitals, Kitchen Conversion charts, Measurement conversions chart, the Periodic Table of Elements, U.S. States and Capitals,
Finally, I would be remiss without mentioning the tremendous “Forms” section offered within this planner. I have always been a fan of forms, because they help me organize my often scattered thoughts. All of the forms within The Schoolhouse Planner are able to be filled out on your computer and then printed if you so desire. The forms are designed to take even the most organizationally challenged of us and walk us through the planning process step by step for a successful home education year.
Beginning with an Annual Plans Chart followed by a yearly goals form the homeschool teacher can get the big picture established customizing each form for each child. There are curriculum planning sheets, course of study sheets, a 12 year planning page, curriculum record sheets designed to help you review your purchases, and best of all a “Beginning/Ending Page” which is designed to act as scrapbook inspiration to record each students vital statistics and likes and dislikes the first and last days of the school year.
Many of the other record keeping forms like lesson planners come in several formats in an effort to please us all. There is definitely more than anyone could need in the 120 pages of different forms. Once again the beauty of an e-book format planner is that you simply click through anything that doesn’t apply. I found forms that could support all philosophies of education from textbook families to unschoolers; quite refreshing for the families who are a mixture of styles.
A household forms section rounded out the planner. This section provided the perfect system for creating a household reference notebook to maintain records of all kinds including important contact information, chores, menus, house cleaning/maintenance schedules, personal and spiritual growth and goal setting forms. I especially thought the “Directions to Favorite Places” form was a clever idea. No more wasting time map questing directions. They will be right within your planner.
You can look at samples of this wonderful planner at www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com. If you are skeptical like I was at first you will soon realize that the $39.00 investment is worth every penny. Whether you are teaching a pre-schooler or high schooler this planner will help you have a great, organized school year!!
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Today was our first official day of school. I know, waaaaaay too early for school to start, but our early start was attempted today in an effort to take two weeks off in two weeks. My oldest two daughters will be leaving the nest for the fall in a little less than a month and I want to make sure we have time to properly see them off. My oldest daughter is off to college and my second oldest to a three month long missions trip. My life is about to change in a big way as my right and left arm walk out the door by September 2nd.
So......we started school today, although reluctantly and went out to lunch to celebrate successfully accomplishing some school work in August. Although I'm not ready to surrender my summer, I can still say, "I love homeschooling!" Being able to spend time with my four youngest kids today reminded me of the fleeting years of childhood and how blessed I am that I can spend so much of their childhood with them. Although summer "vacation" is ending I will not have to feel the pain of separation from my first grader, sixth grader or new high school freshman. My preschooler can continue to enjoy the company of his siblings without tearful goodbyes. Most importantly, we will continue to build happy family memories as our journey of home education begins again.
• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Anyone that truly knows me knows this is one of my favorite days of the year. The 4th of July! I love my country! I love parties! I LOVE summer! I love picnics! I love the easiness of getting together with good friends and sitting outside and inside while kids run around! I love staying up late, watching the stars mix with the man made wonder of fireworks! For me, the 4th of July has always been a perfect holiday.
I found a kindred spirit in my best friend, now 11 years ago when our friendship was young, and she caught my enthusiasm for creating a 4th of July to remember for our two families. We looked at the recipes in a parenting magazine, decided on crafts for our three daughters to make, chose patriotic music to be played and marked the party in bold on our calendars. What happened that year was NOT the perfect holiday, but a wonderful combination of recipe mishaps, misbehaving children, laughter, silliness and wonderful memories captured through photographs. It was not magazine picture perfect, but the perfect blend of real families loving each other and the beauty of celebrating our nation's birthday.
Every year since, our two families have made it a priority to be together on the 4th of July. Some years our celebration has been in a Mexican restaurant and sometimes in my family's backyard under the stars, but the important factor of being together always remains. This bond is such a comfort to me and I think one of the reasons why I look forward to the 4th of July every year with such eagerness.
I always host the 4th party, but last year was feeling very blue and definitely not very red or white, because three of my six children were going to be away from home. My dear friend asked me what I had planned and I answered, "Oh, I don't know. Maybe draping the house in black and sitting around in sack cloth all day..." I was not very festive. Her husband came to save the day when he heard about my dreary attitude. He not only shopped, but cooked an entire barbecue shiskabob meal for our two families, showed my husband how to build a fire pit ( a long time desire of mine) and helped us find things to burn for our first official bonfire. What a treat! As we all sat around the bonfire and watched neighborhood fireworks being launched my friend pointed out shooting star after shooting star; a commentary by God to show us who really has the fireworks to share. It was the culmination of love and compassion for my situation. Everyone knew I was out of sorts, but God and my dear friends weren't going to allow me to wallow in self pity or miss the joy around me. What a memory! What a beautiful representation of the unity of our families and our country's spirit. Is not the USA known for pulling together when someone needs us?
So, I am getting out the sparklers, cleaning up the grill, hanging the decorations and anxiously awaiting the arrival of my dear friend and her family and others as well. It's the 4th of July! It's time to celebrate! It's time to enjoy our freedom as Americans, remember the sacrifices of so many over the years, and bask in the warmth and love our loved ones.
I hope all your summer nights are filled with fireworks!
• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
It's spirit is waning, gasping for strength it slowly, slowly loses the battle as each hour passes; as day turns into night. The hot, muggy days are quietly being stolen away by the cool wind brought by earth's slow journey away from the sun. A silent scream cries out from my heart as I begin the mourning of the demise of my dear friend.
Summer has almost ended. We are just days away from a new beginning, but by its very presence in our lives we must say goodbye to our dear old friend--summer. It is flip flop wearing, sun tan lotion fragranced, no coat, out door cafe eating summer that I mourn for. I love everything about summer. The easiness of our lives, the constant stream of my children's birthday parties, the ability to breathe deeply without an agenda.
Oh summer! I will miss you! Why does summer have to end? Why must a new school year filled with activity now demand our attention? Why do we have to become disciplined to a fault and work so very hard?
My anxiety-ridden sadness is calmed by rational remembrance. Our family does not have to mourn! As I watch my neighbors bustling about with back to school purchases, running to school orientations and slowly increasing bed time requirements I remind myself, "This does not apply!". I breathe deeply, release the creeping anxiety and remember this is one of the main reasons we have chosen to homeschool.
We can choose to sleep in on rainy days if the occasion arises; spend extra time mingling over lunch and enjoy each other's company to the fullest. We can choose to read books by the fire on "snow days" and take a much needed break on "sun days". We can rush to our local park for a school mandated picnic on the first warm, spring day; take a school holiday to visit with Grandma, and have lunch at Wendy's on Fridays with Dad, just because. All of these benefits bring back the same joy and rest that my friend, summer, offers. Summer will forever live on in our hearts and minds as the seasons change.
I realize the temperatures will drop. Summer will vanish and the activity schedule will heighten adding new responsiblities and deadlines to our lives. I can face it however, because God has blessed me with the opportunity and vision to homeschool. Change is inevitable and seasons will come and go. I have vowed and will stubbornly resolve to remember and retain the spirit of summer, because we homeschool. 
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link