This week we celebrated Sabbath on Saturday.
Here are a few amateur photos from our day of rest.
Our puppy, Jake.
Aunt Dot reading in the sunshine.
Chuck helping Brad to build Brad’s solar-powered amphibious machine.
Brian using the wood-burning tool.
Breanna doing her laundry.
Posted in Everyday
I’ve been whining too much lately. In attempt to turn myself around, I thought I’d post a list of things I’m grateful for.
I Am Thankful For…
my crockpot (so I didn’t have to slave over the stove for last night’s healthy dinner)
medical insurance (so I can go see the doc today without a huge financial burden)
math and language arts workbooks (so my kids don’t have to miss out on an entire day of school)
computers and wi-fi internet (so I can keep up with the world and my friends)
my rat-packed shoeboxes (so the kids can make dioramas to keep busy this afternoon)
my couch and heating pad (which are both giving me big hugs today)
my hubby (who helped me not to feel guilty for being sick)
my children (who are keeping up with norma things despite a couch-ed mama)
Posted in Everyday
Remember what I wrote yesterday? I couldn’t share that without sharing what happened last night.
It was 9:00 and the kids were all snug in their beds when my husband came in to tell us about his “refreshing” night swim. Four little pairs of eyes lit up with excitement…they’d been asking to go night swimming all summer. And, don’t you know, we let them! Not only did we let them, but we got in with them!!
It was stinking freezing! I got right out and bundled up in my huge terry cloth spa robe. Imagine the warmth in that. But this little voice in me kept saying, “Get in. Enjoy this moment. Don’t be a recorder of the moment, but a participant. Sear this memory in your heart, not just your mind. Love on those children! Restore your broken relationship with them.” I must have thrown off my robe and stood poised at the edge because I began to hear chanting, “Jump! In! Jump! In! Jump! In!” And next thing I knew, I was poking my head out of the frigid water, greeted by 5 very happy people. But I was happiest!
God is so faithful to restore the years the locusts have eaten. He is so wonderful to whisper truth in our spirits when we seek what we think brings us comfort. He knows! He knows what will restore our souls and our relationships. When we listen to His voice, we live from the heart, not from our own minds and plans. Thank You, God, for redeeming my day and giving me an ending that tops all others. You lavishly love me, and for that I am forever grateful!
If you’ve read Gooney Bird Greene, you know what we’re talking about.
If you haven’t read it, and you have elementary-aged children, you must.
We’re a pretty relaxed family. We try to keep things pretty tidy so we don’t feel overwhelmed by clutter. We like our “schtuff” to be hidden neatly behind doors and in drawers.
We recently began recycling and found this great rolling wire-basket contraption at Ikea for less than $20! It’s perfect for sorting and collecting all the things we’re sending off (instead of throwing away).
However, we didn’t like the cluttered look. I spent Saturday recycling an old table runner into a cover for the bin.
Isn’t it adorable? A few stitches and some hot glue went a long way here. Now we can recycle and maintain a clutter-free kitchen.
This is our first contribution to the recycling center:
Friday I visited a friend I thought was knocking at death’s door. In fact, I was afraid I’d missed her death announcement. But sometime over Easter weekend, her health changed, and we had a lovely visit, full of love, humor and plenty of kisses.
Saturday I went to a funeral for a friend. We spent an hour mourning her disappearance from this earth and celebrating her new life in heaven. It, too, was a lovely time, full of love, humor and plenty of kisses.
Were the two days really different? For their families, yes. But for me, no. Both theses days were filled with God’s love and reminders that His kingdom is coming on earth as it is in heaven. They were times of clarity and gratitude for me. Not so different from one another.
Yes, it’s taken me this long to see it all comes down to Love, humor and plenty of kisses.
Posted in Everyday
Some home school families are strict and regimented, with the adults making good use of schedules, desks and textbooks.
Some home school families are child-led, and very careful to avoid parent-imposed structure and so-called traditional learning techniques.
We fall somewhere in the middle, something we call Relaxed Schooling. Today I found a photo to explain.
(Yes, that is my son completing his workbook in…well, an empty laundry basket.)
Posted in Everyday, Learning, Uncategorized
