Cooking Day

Noah stirring our dinner: Macaroni-Basil Soup

Lily and Joe assembled Piggy Bricks. The name made them even more fun to eat.

Keely and I made whole wheat bread.

Row and Grandma made raspberry sauce to go on our ice cream.

Now that my Mom and Dad are here (permanently, on a trial basis....long story), Mom has been hanging out here and helping and we are all loving it. When we were thinking through the best ways that she could be involved in our homeschool--something she strongly wanted to do--we thought it would be refreshing to have 'Fun Fridays': leaving off the regular bookwork and schedule of the rest of the week, and focusing on art appreciation, cooking, crafts, music, field trips...you get the idea.

Last Friday we planned a day of cooking. I chose several kid-friendly recipes (though I think next time I'll let the kids do the choosing) and gathered the ingredients, and we had one or two children assist with each one. It was lots of fun! And, isn't it funny how children will eat things that they'd normally turn their noses up at if they made it themselves?

I know most people probably don't have a Mom as willing and available (and now close!) as mine, but wouldn't this be a fun thing to do occasionally with another homeschool mom or older woman friend? Wish I'd started it years ago.

What Matters

Last night my tired hubby and I sat on the couch and tuned in to a PBS documentary about the Donner Party. We had actually seen it before, so I'm not sure why we decided to watch it again. Not exactly cheerful viewing. The story is so sad and so horrifying that I felt a little guilty watching it, honestly. Like we were taking in an episode of Jerry Springer or something. Something that shouldn't be spoken of in public.

I was thinking about it this morning, and about those people who endured that horrible winter in 1846-7. This optimistic group set out with dreams of wealth and success in California, many of them hauling loads of their possessions, which were gradually lost or abandoned on the difficult journey. The ones that survived and actually made it to California in the spring of 1947 could not have been the same people. The life and death struggle and horrors they witnessed must have distilled their priorities quite drastically.

And that, specifically, was the part I've been thinking about.

The day-to-day living of life lulls us into distraction. To be honest with you, it's been a little stressful around here as I adjust to a new baby and continuing on with homeschooling and keeping home and training children and not ignoring my husband in the process...and all the other responsibilities that exist.

This is my prayer, again and again: to not get bogged down in the daily stuff that does not last, the stuff that is shed as the years pass just like those precious possessions left by the Donner travelers in the Salt Desert of Utah. The stuff that ultimately doesn't matter.

Sometimes I wonder if reading online-specifically, blogs--is increasing my distraction from the things that really matter. Don't get me wrong: they are good things. Creative ideas for better homeschooling, crafting, cooking, and so on. But when I find myself feeling like I'm falling short for not being the most creative crafter...for not experimenting more in the kitchen...for not sewing or teaching all the 'extras' to my kids in our homeschool...and on top of it not taking fabulously beautiful pictures of it all, well, then, my focus is getting out of whack. I don't want to be extreme and swear off the computer or homemaking magazines. I want balance. I want to be able to maintain the right focus.

And I think this is only going to happen by the Lord working in me. I need to keep my eyes on Him, praying constantly that He will help me discern what really matters, and leave the rest behind. I need to remember how fast a year goes or ten and savor and use each moment for God's glory, not for my comfort or accomplishment or reputation.

I don't want it to take a tragedy to distill my priorities. I want to choose to do it right now by the grace of God.

Rejoicing in Others' Suffering?

Me: Ah-choo! Buddy, it looks like you're giving your cold to me.

Joseph: Good. That means I'll be getting better.

Ten Ways to Raise a Nonreader

1. Have the television on at all times. Make sure you put a television set and a computer in every room. (Don't forget the kitchen!)

2. Keep the place neat--no books or literary magazines in sight.

3. Never let your children see you read a book.

4. Never take your kids to the library.

5. Never read stories aloud past age two.

6. Never talk about ideas while eating meals.

7. Keep the lights down low. Buy only forty-watt lightbulbs.

8. Schedule your children for every activity you can think of so they won't be bored.

9. Never play any table games together.

10. Absolutely no reading in bed or good lamps to make it easy to do so.

from Honey For a Child's Heart, by Gladys Hunt

My friend Michelle gave me this wonderful book several years ago, and I recommend that all parents buy a copy! It not only presents the "how-to's" of encouraging your children to read, but also the "why's". I reference the age-categorized book lists periodically and keep a record of all our completed read-alouds in the back cover. After lunch on school days we all get comfy in the living room and read a chapter (or three) of a good book together. I think this is a favorite time of day for us all!

Today we finished Babe: The Gallant Pig. Next up? From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

The New Normal

It's been a fun couple of weeks around here! I was pretty exhausted the first three or four days home, but after that I really began to feel a little more human every day. Samuel's a delight and is doing really well at night; waking up every two to three hours to eat, but then going right back to sleep. I can handle that!

All the little newborn things are so precious: the little dreaming faces...the sweet breath...the nursing noises....the need to shield yourself when changing a little boy's diaper! :) Kevin and I are so very blessed to have this little one added to our 'quiver', and the kids all concur. Lots of time is spent discussing *ahem* whose turn it is to hold Sam next, and then who's after that, and how long each person's turn will be, etc. He is doomed to be spoiled, I'm afraid.

Next Monday we'll attempt to get back to school and some semblance of a routine around here. We have enjoyed Mom and Mom-in-law being here and helping so much, but I think we're all feeling ready to try out the 'new normal' in our home.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments of congratulations and for all the prayers. They were such a blessing to me!

Our New Little Guy

Welcome to the world, Samuel Lamar!

January 9, 2010 12:28 p.m. 8 lbs, 7 oz

A Watched Belly Never...Well..You Know

Still. Here. Trying to be patient! I think it was a mistake to cease and desist with school because I feel like an absolute slug as I sit and wait and waste time waiting for my body to kick into gear. My fabulous Mom is here and is completely spoiling me...but the time is crawling! It doesn't help that we've had the coldest temps here in 20 years and roads are bad so we're pretty much stuck at home.

Okay. No more bellyachin'!

Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18