Longfellow

 I have been on a poetry kick lately. Over a year ago I found a book, copyrighted 1929, called 101 Famous Poems. We read more then half of it, mostly as bedtime discussion fodder. Some encouraged great discussion. Others were simply called "boring" at first glance. Almost all of them have stretched our vocabulary.
 When we moved the book was packed away and forgotten, until about a week ago. Zion was given an assignment, as part of one of his classes in our homeschool co-op, to write a poem. His trials with that inspired me to find the old book again and see what else we could learn from it. I am so glad I did, because "old" almost always makes me happy!

 First, Zion's finished poem.

Lazy Daisy

makes me crazy.

Sloppy, floppy

is really droppy.

Food goes everywhere,

along with her shedding hair.

I eat my food, there she begs,

jumping on her deer-like legs.

She makes Missouri furry.

Crazy Daisy is so Lazy.

 Canaan's quote is: "I COULD write a poem. I just don't want to". 

 Apparently I have not inspired him enough yet. 

 I would like to share last night's reading. It inspires me!

 A Psalm of Life

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each tomorrow

Find us farther than today.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of life,

Be not dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!

Let the dead Past bury is dead!

Act,- act in the living Present!

Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time.

Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing o'er life's solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us then be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.

It was a beautiful way to end the day, and I thought a beautiful thought to start with also. 

 Leave footprints, my friends, footprints that will encourage those who come later. 

Blessings, 

                                              

Lost in the Woods

 I was re-reading some of my old posts, again. They really are more of a journal than anything. Watching my children grow, right on the computer screen, is bittersweet. When I started this blog Canaan had just turned 4 and Zion was not quite 2. Canaan will be twelve in just 5 weeks and Zion is now 9.
 When I first started writing, almost every word was "adorable", and worthy of posting. (of course!) Now, I think they would really prefer I not call them adorable...

 We live in base housing right now. The duplex itself is really nice, the neighbors are wonderful, and the street has lots of children. However, there is not much of a back yard, and what is there is NOT fenced in. So, Daisy has to be on a leash when she is outside.

 The up side (as well as the down side!) of that requirement is that I am forced to go outside with her. The snow days were really hard on this southern girl, but now that the weather has cheered up taking Daisy for a walk is a joyful experience.

Spring is here!

Color is popping up.

Things that were hidden now show their lovely faces.

And the promise of more to come shows prominently!

This base has a nickname.

"Fort Lost in the Woods"

These two pictures give an idea as to why it is called that. The top picture is about 100 yards from our back door. We come up with a different fun story on a regular basis about why a random concrete pad is in the middle of the woods.

This picture is a five minute walk from our house. 

Nothing in sight except trees! 

 But the beauty you can find while "lost in the woods" is unending. 

 Side note of proud mommy bragging: While on the above mentioned walk Canaan said "Mom, look at that interesting quadrilateral." When I quizzed his little brother as to what made the shape a quadrilateral and not a square, Zion answered correctly.
 My boys make me proud! Not so much "adorable" any longer, but definitely amazing young men.
 I am so very blessed!

Blessings to you, 

Creativity calls

We planted bulbs today. Prepping for next spring, while the fabulous fall weather is in full swing.
 It was dirty, sweaty work, but so much fun!
 Canaan and Zion helped pick spots, dig holes, plant and cover the little bundles of potential. They actually both lasted almost the whole time. While I was putting away the tools and sweeping up the mess they both went inside to clean up. Cool down. Get a drink.
 Imagine my surprise when I walked in and was greeted with "Mom, we are ready to give you your massage."

 They had placed a towel on the couch, prepared steamy cloths, and were ready to serve. Canaan rubbed my head, Zion steamed my feet and they both helped "beat the stress away" on my back.

 All their idea.

 Completely their planning.

 What amazing boys I have!

 I, obviously, don't have any pictures. I was quite willing to just lay down and let them pamper me! However, I do have some pictures of what my boys have been up to recently.

 The Cardinal's men, fighting against The Musketeers.

 Super hero facepaint

 Fishing in the rain

 With our good friend Asher.

Lot's of art...

 Icecream art

 Crocheting: Headband (Zion helped!)

 Coaster (Canaan did most of this himself)

 And a sock puppet,

with a superhero's cape.

Good stuff, keeping us busy, and having some great learning moments! 

Blessings, 

The 2013-14 school year

 I'm feeling much better - I had the wives of the men Andy deployed with over for Labor Day. There are only 3 of us, but it was a nice common bond knowing that our husbands are together. Spending the "holiday" together made it seem less lonely.
 I do, however,  feel incredibly old after spending time with them - they are both younger, with tiny little children! My boys seemed like little giants.

 Speaking of my giants, they had their sport's physicals last week, with an official "school year" measurement. Canaan is 55.5 inches tall, getting very close to the 100 lb mark, and in desperate need of new glasses.

 Zion is 51.5 inches, 64lbs, and might be needing glasses too. I have an official appt for that tomorrow, but if the wall chart is any sign we are going to need some help seeing.

 Soccer season is off to a decent start, and the school year is going fabulously so far, with today already being our 22 day. I want to get as much done before Andy gets home so we can relax with him come May.

 They both lost a tooth, within 30 minutes of each other, last week. That was a first, for the tooth fairy to visit both beds in the same night.

 Canaan has recently started "Teaching Textbooks" math 5 and loves it. He was not a fan of Saxon, but so far finds it very exciting to be "in charge" while doing math on the computer.

 Zion seems to have finally had something click with reading. He still has to work through things, but his sight words tripled overnight recently. Don't know why, but I'm not complaining! I guess he was just ready. Or, "Explode the Code" this summer worked even more then I thought!
 I have had him doing some random workbooks for math and we are reading the "Life of Fred" books together. They fit my style of learning perfectly! Check them out.

 I have finally buckled down and started a spelling program - Sequential Spelling. I started on the first book and have Canaan doing several lessons at a time in hopes that he might start the second book this year also. I am not good at doing something "Every Day", which it asks. I like change entirely too much to do the same thing every day! As long as we do it twice a week I am satisfied.  Zion is on lesson 3, and we are good with that. One thing at a time.

 For history we are sticking with a literature based program. I have so many fabulous children's books - why in the world would I pick a text book? We have done Leif Ericson, Columbus, Jamestown and Pocahontas, and are in Plymouth now. My favorite subject is easy for me to teach. Drop me a line if you ever want to talk children's lit and history!

 Canaan is writing a story, expanding his vocabulary and working on sentence structure. Our co-op will have a creative writing class this fall also. I am sure he will enjoy that. Zion, on the other hand might hate it... but he is taking it anyway.

 I somehow got talked into teaching PE for the 5-6 year olds at our co-op. Still not sure how that happened! I will be assisting in art for that age also. Seriously, the two subjects I like the least? I guess God wants me to get out of my comfort zone! Never too old to learn, right?

 One last curriculum shout-out. My boys are upstairs on the computer right now with "dance mat" typing. Totally free and really fun set-up.

 Guess that sums up our first few weeks of school. We travelled to four different states, learned about their capitals, and enjoyed several episodes of "How the states got their shapes" on Amazon Prime. The flashcards that my father used to memorize the states and capitals, and then were used by my sisters and I, are doing a wonderful job for Canaan also. The population is "slightly" outdated, but neither the capitol or the shape of the states has changed in 50 years. I really need to write my grandmother a thank you note for saving everything! (and my mom too, since they survived multiple moves with her) My family rocks!

 Hope your school year is off to a good start.

Blessings, 

Easter

As promised, Canaan's new and improved story. Improved, not perfect! (I am typing it with spelling and grammar errors included)

"Oh, no! The Easter Bunny slept late! Now he has to...
 ...hurry out of the hole and get in to his jet-bus and drive. Mrs. Bunny was in the pasenger seat and Jr. Bunny in one of the back seats and Bob Bunny in one of the other back seats and Hunny Bunny back there too.
 Then they stoppped at the first house and as fast as you can say "egg", poof! the Bunny family had alredy made it to house two thousand one hundred and fifty-nine. That is like the whole town of Adairsville. Very soon he was done and stopped at the toy store and got bob and Jr. action bunny figures and hunny a bunny doll. Next, off they went to bunnymart and got Mrs. bunny a new flowerpot, and went home. the end
 And the writer fell asleep zzzzz"

He needs to work on capitalization, and a few spelling errors, but we can fix that. I love that he felt the need to add the sleeping to the end. He had to tie the old story in with the new!

Zion wrote an Easter story too.

 "The Easter bunny brought me a chocolate egg. Right as I went to take a bite out of it....
... an alien popped out and flew to the Easter party and said, "My name is E.T. and I love Coke."

 Andy wants to know if it is Coca-cola or the other stuff. But he says that both our boys are aware that "crack is whack"!

 While speaking of Easter - we had some fun!

 Church party

 3rd Group Easter party

 Look at that jump! (and in cowboy boots too)

1st place in his age group for the obstacle course!

 Canaan got a pretty good jump in too, but Andy was running the camera at that time so there aren't as many pictures. He was running the camera because...

it was time for the 3 legged race- it's all about the teamwork, or if you are a big army dad, picking your kid up while you run! (see below)

 Canaan had to work with someone his own size - great way to get to know someone!

 Daddy's car, painted on their faces

 "Bethany - get that camera away from me!"

 Tug of war!

My prize winning boys- all worn out, but they had a blast. 

And we still had a fun ride home...

As Andy explains it, "The mistress is back!"

Still here

 Andy has a line he likes to say on a regular basis...

"Never volunteer excuses or explain a shortcoming unless an explanation is required. More damage than good is done by proffering unsought excuses." 

 So, with that in mind I won't waste time excusing my absence from here.
 Just know that I didn't quit on purpose!


 School has carried on, obviously, as has work, and seasons continue to pass by. We have just been rolling along - learning.

 A few days ago I gave Canaan two lines, and asked him to write the rest of the story. He needed to fill at least 2/3 of the page, be creative, and use proper grammar. Correct spelling was definitely something to aim for, but, as I realistically prepared myself for, something we could fix later.

 Apparently Canaan was not inspired at that moment. He knew how far down the page he had to go, so he began to look for randomness with which to fill it. For instance, "The Easter Bunny slept and slept and slept and slept and slept." was spread across an entire line, plus some. Twice.
 That was a sleepy Easter story.

 I couldn't help but laugh at the comedy in the story, but the attitude in which it was given - the deliberate waste of space so that he didn't have to come up with something new to write... He knew he was wrong.

 Andy's comment, after sending Canaan to the other room, was "That little smart ..." Hilarious, but at the same time - unacceptable. (both Canaan's paper, and Andy's comment fit that criteria!)

 Canaan knew that he hadn't done his best. He knows that he is going to have to re-write the story with not only corrected spelling and capitalization, but with a new attitude.

 The question is, how often do we do that? We fill up our schedule with "good" things. Things that fit the criteria. But we know they aren't the right things.
 We read the right books and expand our minds.
 We add filler, so there aren't any empty spaces looking at us with accusation.

 But are those spaces perhaps meant to be empty?

 A good short story is far better then a long, rambling, pointless one. And sometimes filling the page just isn't an improvement.

 So, for tonight I am going to say "Don't be afraid of empty spaces." In conversation. In your schedule. In your relationships.

 Less of a good thing will win every time when compared to a surplus of unnecessary excess.

 Canaan will be writing tomorrow. I will post the new and improved story here, and we can talk about good words. Good use of time. Good listening to what God has for us.

 Until then...

Blessings,  

Guilt relieved

The problem with not writing for a while is that at first you have more to say then you can catch up on. So you are overwhelmed, and let sleep win.
 Then, more events happen, and now guilt starts building... not only have you not shared these beautiful moments, you haven't written at all.
 Guilt.

 Yes, the whole point of this blogging thing is supposed to be for self-expression, sharing a bit of life and a few deep thoughts.
 But suddenly, time has escaped, life has continued in all of it's frantic busy-ness and guilt, foolish guilt, is sitting there mocking you.

 Deep breath.

 So we will simply skim the missed events. I'm not allowed to post pictures of my niece anyway. Her second birthday party was fabulous. The end.

 Soccer season is off with a bang. Practice four nights a week - 2 for Canaan, 2 for Zion, and both have a game every Saturday. More on that later.

 We started homeschool co-op. Thursdays are packed full, but an absolute blast!

 And I realized this week that I am definitely NOT a homeschooler. I'm just not cut out for it.

 Shocked silence from the masses. (see how I fool myself into thinking that someone is actually reading this!)

 You see - we tried sitting at the table and doing book work for the first few weeks this year. And I'm not going to say that every minute was atrocious. I am sure we will pull the text books out again at some point and time. And we are still going to have a verse of the week to memorize (definitely), and practice handwriting with (if we want to). Some spelling words for Canaan (perhaps).

 But I want my children to want to learn. When we come in at night covered in mosquito bites I want them to ask, "Why do mosquito's bite?"... and that be the first thing we look up the next day. So we discover that only females suck your blood, the swelling and itching are an allergic reaction to her saliva, and they help pollinate, just like bees. And that leads to a lesson on exoskeletons, which leads to vertebrae, which leads to digestion. Simply because Zion wanted to know why Mosquito bites itch.  

 I love it when Canaan writes something down on a post-it note and sticks it on the fridge, just to remind us to google soon.

 I love it when we sit together and read portions of four books in a row about China, just to see what we can find out.  

 I am, without a doubt, an unschooler. Poor Andy.

 Now, onto a much bigger concern in my life.
 I keep reading about Dyslexia. Articles. Backgrounds. Signs.
 And soooo many of them point to Zion. Terrifying.
 But I found a blog that was so very encouraging that it made me cry. Truly. I think it helped, also, in the acceptance that it is okay for me to be me. To let my kids be themselves. To know that we don't have to conform to some rigid way of thinking, some scheduled way of life, in order to "help" Zion. Zion will be ready when it is time. And in the meantime, I will teach him the things he is ready to learn. He just isn't ready for reading. And I have to stop pushing him. It frustrates him. It frustrates me. It accomplishes nothing.
 So we will wait.
 Still practice letters and sounds, and maybe see how a few sight words go. Read to him over and over and over, everything we can find that will hold his attention. And be patient.

 Today we read about mosquitos. Talked about the difference between an insect and an arachnid. After looking at pictures of exoskeletons Zion had a blast talking about his spine and how it went all the way to his "bum"... "giggle giggle".
 We dumped out several boxes of noodles and built all sorts of things after reading about tension and compression (and the three little pigs houses).

 We went down the street and bought some local produce. (and stopped at the dollar tree for the glue to hold our noodle towers together.) Made apple waffles for lunch. Canaan read almost half of Stuart Little, just for fun. He read almost half of "The Magic Schoolbus inside a Hurricane" out loud to Zion.

 And I sorted through some old pictures I found in a box. See.

Kelsey and I

Burlington, IN

Halloween, 1986

 The Sharp cousins

Marietta, GA

Easter, 1989

 The Binkley cousins

Geist, IN

Christmas, 1992?

 My sisters and I (and Zion)

For the life of me, I cannot figure out where we are...

Somewhere in GA I would assume!

October? 2005

I love finding old pictures. Especially the ones already on a disk, just waiting to be uploaded!

I hope your last few weeks have been as full of fun, and discovery, as mine have been. Or maybe not. It has been slightly stressful! 

Blessings, 

Starving!

 I had a moment today when I thought perhaps I didn't want to be a homeschool mom any more.
 At least, not to a stubborn red-headed six year old.

 At 11:30 he told me he was starving. Since he hadn't finished his breakfast until 8:30 I knew he wasn't going to die. I told him when he finished his handwriting we would have lunch.
 All he had to write was the date and the verse of the week:
 Monday, August 27, 2012  "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Acts 16:31"

 It was printed for him. All he had to do was write it below, to practice his letters.

 But for some reason, some small voice in the back of his head declared "Don't do it."

 I told him that he couldn't eat until it was finished.

 He wrote "Mon".

 Canaan and I ate lunch.

 He got up and wondered around the room.

 I fussed at him to get back in his seat.

 We had a staring contest, in which I insisted that I really was the boss, and that he was not going to eat until he did was he was told. Even if he was "Starving".

 I called his dad and left a voice-mail.

 He finished "Monday"

 I called my mom and nearly cried.

 He wrote "Aug"

 It was now 1:30...

 2 hours!!

 He hadn't eaten. He hadn't gotten any other school done. I was so frustrated with him that I had gotten very little done with Canaan.

 My mom had my dad call and encourage him, but first she encouraged me.

 You see, I was so busy being frustrated with him, insisting that he obey, feeling like he was defying me...  I had forgotten to take the time to sit and listen to him.

 Perhaps that first 15 minutes really was simply rebellion. But when I sat with him I discovered that he was upset because his M was crooked. And he felt he had started on the wrong line, and now his u was not the right shape.

  He let his frustration compound until he wasn't in control of his emotions anymore.

 We erased the whole thing and started again.

 A clean slate.

 Working together we had it done in less then 10 minutes.

 He wasn't the only one who learned a lesson today.

 I was reminded that we all have moments of stubbornness. We all need a clean slate sometimes. And when we are willing to listen to the guide who desires to help us the work is so much easier.

 Why is it that my children end up teaching me just as much as I teach them?

 As last week's verse said, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 We are well aware of that one.

And next week? We are working on the letter C. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Eph 6:1

 We'll take that one on when it comes!

 For now, that power struggle has me exhausted. Time for bed!

 Blessings,

Does it exist?

 So many words, so little time.

 The school day is calling, and the children can't focus without direct interaction, but this verse has stood out to me two days in a row.

 "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Phil 4:8

 There is lots out there that isn't. And sometimes we have to take hold of it and "deal with it". But it doesn't have to be our focus. Seek the good my friends. Seek and ye shall find...

Blessings, 

A few things I love

 Our wireless transmitter died. Again. I kept trying to breath new life into it. But we had to finally accept defeat and let it rest in peace.
 I am pretty sure this is the third one we have had in my blogging history.

 After just a few days without "full" internet I am always so glad to get it back. But I am always so far behind too. I already have a hard time keeping up with the blogs I want to read and comment on. And the blogs I haven't had a chance to write- well, those are lost forever. Because my brain only holds a thought for so long. Then it is gone. That is why I write a blog in the first place! So that those crazy thoughts can be corralled and organized. When I don't get a chance to write them down...

 Ah well.

 But, a few things I love:

1) That when we got home yesterday the first thing my boys did with our purchases from the thrift store was lay on their stomachs in the middle of the kitchen floor and play with them. Immediately. Anyone want to know what our purchases were?

 Books!

 2) Thrift stores in general! Large parts of our "curriculum" come from them!

3) When I open the peanutbutter, Daisy automatically thinks it is for her. That is both a love and a hate. We give her PB to cover the taste of her meds, which are a constant need, and will be always. But the fact that as soon as she smells PB she comes running: that cracks me up.

4) The fact that, although I am not sure where the money is going to come from, braces do exist and Canaan will be able to have them. There was a time when teeth that were so crowded that they wouldn't even descend were a humongous problem. Now the dentist simply gives a recommendation that you go visit their friend down the street. (or perhaps shop around and see who is cheapest?)

5) Cherry Tomatos straight from our garden. One of the few successes, making them even more delicious.

6) That beautiful art that can come from trash. Beauty is all around, as long as your seek it. My friend Casey has started using his amazing talent for more then just playing with his kids and decorating his own home. He is creating art for others and I can't help but pass him along to others. He takes paper, shredded and expected to have no further use, and turns it into beauty.  His art is amazing and it stands for one of the things I believe in most. Appreciating EVERYTHING around you and finding Joy in it.

 Please my friends, seek the beauty.

Blessings, 

Inside, Outside, Upside down!

It's been a while since I posted "just because" pics,...

The boys love daddy's new toy, but not as much as daddy does! He is spoiled rotten...

Yet another toy...

 

....but this one came with a box!

(The red thing blasts sand, removing rust from metal (car parts at this house) making them just like new again!)

I have been looking into some "real" curriculum for the next school year. Being sick so often has made it harder for me to teach as "free spirited" as we have in the past. 

 But last week we spent an afternoon that reminded me why I love my "learn as we go" ways.

The steps from the back porch lead to a world of wonder!

Remember the box? 

School room?

Secret hide-out?

 Children of the world "memory"

Table top?

 Blokus!

It seems that, if you are willing to look, school is all around.
I am so glad we got to have a fun reminder of that.
We will still have to order a math book, and spelling, and... well, we'll just see.
But I am still me, and our school remains the same.
Thank you Lord, for the small things.
Hold on to them my friends!

Blessings,