Art Class

My art class began last week. It's strange to be back in the classroom, but a good kind of strange. There is no text for the class, just the usual arm-and-leg investment at the local art supply spot. I have enjoyed sketching for the last few years, but I want to come out of this class being able to draw with more confidence. I can hardly wait.

The assignment for this week? To scribble. Yep, scribble. First with the dominant hand, then with the non-dominant hand, and then gripping the pencil with both hands. Scribbling is a bit of stretch for me (no, not in skills, but in understanding the value.) She wants us to work through the developmental stages of drawing, starting back in early childhood. Like I said, this is a stretch for me, but, the instructor has asked us to trust her. She says if we just stick with it, and do what she assigns us, then we WILL be able to draw. I am ready to trust; we'll see how it goes.

While I work, I sure like all my new supplies. Brings back great memories of those early days of school, when a new outfit and a pile of pencils could float my boat. Hmmmm....maybe returning to my childhood is a good thing?

"Where's Mom?" "Did you look under that pile of manicotti?"

Sorry that the inspirational and literary posts have been few and far between. This is a grunt work few weeks for me, and today that means Mega-Cooking Time. We don't do things in halves around here, so when we prepare meals for the freezer, we do it on a ridiculous scale. Right now we have eight quiches cooling on the table, and six manicottis piled up for the freezer. Add that to the other thirty entrees we packed in yesterday, and you have a sticky, productive kitchen. We still have four more things to prepare and freeze, but then we are DONE. Four nights a week we will eat something hot and nutritious. For the other three nights a week, we have plans (new recipe with oldest daughter once a week, Mexican feast with oldest son once a week, C.O.R.D. (Clean Out Refrigerator Day) once a week) but those are all variables. On the four other nights, we KNOW there is a good meal coming. For some people (aka: the husband) that sends gallons of happiness to the love tank.

We have lovely music going, hard work from all family members (on cooking, laundry folding, or Boy Scout advancements) and even the all-important absorbing and chewing on what has been read, but I only have brains for recipes right now. I promise poems, book reviews, and other more stimulating posts soon. I may even post some details on what mega-cooking is for us, but I promise you will be warned and can scroll right past it if that kind of post makes you want to jump out of your body and run down the street.

Back to the freezer. See you soon.

Seasonal Soundings

One of my favorite cyber-encouragers has started her own blog. She has graduated her four students from home schooling, and she has often provided perspective from "further down the road" to those of us that need a little vision. She is also one of the most dedicated self-educators I have had the pleasure of corresponding with. I highly recommend to you this new sidebar listing: Seasonal Soundings

Sculpey

Our idea of Friday fun


Everything lined up just so (by her, not me!)


Tea cup and basketball hoop -- something for everyone.

Aaaaahhhh....

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

One of those days

We drove down the highway this morning, on our way home from errands and piano. After a particularly stressful moment of defensive driving on my part, my nine-year-old asked me, "Mommy, what was that boy doing with his finger?" It's been a long time since I have been the recipient of such a gesture, but it pretty much summed up my day. It's been one of those days that needs to finish, and quickly. We're still sick, my mother is now sick, and we are grouchy. But, as I spent an hour blowing my nose and scrolling through some of my favorite online spots, I got this encouragement:

From Miz Booshay, the proprietor at Quiet Life

Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. ~Christopher Robin

This quote touches on all the dark voices in my head that like to tell me what a big loser I am. Christopher Robin, once again, has just the right thing to say. Thanks, Miz Booshay (who earns the award for Most Encouraging Blog in my corner of the world!)

From Dr. Grant's blog:

However long it takes, whatever the costs involved, however hard the task, and whatever the risks, principled leaders finish what they start. They fulfill their responsibilities. They are in it for the long haul. This is one of the hallmarks of maturity.

The most important part of homeschool planning for me is not the charts or the lists; it is to remember why I am homeschooling, who my children are, why I value and cherish them, what kind of treatment is acceptable between us, and Who is empowering this lovely sailing vessel that is making its way through sometimes murky/sometimes smooth waters. Sure, I make lists and charts (preferably with neat colors and little boxes to check things off); when I don't, I lose track of someone or something. But, this focus on leadership is what I needed to hear. I am a leader (duh!) and I want to show maturity to my group of leaders-in-training.

He also had this bit of kindred confession:

Winston Churchill once quipped that “In order to lead, one must read.” The best preparation for times of difficulty--and believe me, leaders will face times of difficulty--is a well-rounded, well-trained mind. Sloppy thinking is a terrible handicap in the day of testing—whether that day of testing is the loss of a job, the birth of a child, an unexpected medical diagnosis, the beginning of a new semester, or the resolution of an intractable conflict. I have always found that when the pressure is on my best course of action is feed my mind with provocative books. Of course, I need to maintain my spiritual disciplines, eat right, get plenty of rest, make sure I get out and exercise, and stay connected with those God has placed around me. But, if I am not reading, most of those other aspects of a healthy life seem to fall by the wayside.

Amen, Dr. Grant.

From: I Have to Say

My coming to faith did not start with a leap but rather with a series of staggers from what seemed like one safe place to another. Like lily pads, round and green, these places summoned and then held me for the next leaf on which I would land, and in this way I moved across the swamp of doubt and fear. When I look back at some of these early resting places...I can see how flimsy and indirect a path they made. Yet each step brought me closer to the verdant pad of faith on which I somehow stay afloat today.

Anne Lamott from Traveling Mercies

A beautiful description, and the picture -- you have to go see the picture. I love the photos on this blog!

And, finally, from our friends at Wittingshire:

How can we avoid painting our loved ones with dull colors?

"Humility is enough," Tolkien says.

Great words for parents, for children, for lovers. It's too easy for our view to get distracted; let's strive to keep the colors clear and vivid and rich.

On this crummy day, I say thanks to this assortment of virtual encouragement. My vision is restored!

Farewell, Thursday!

On sale: two-for-one

Just in time for Daddy's school year to start! Welcome back to the classroom, dear!

Soundtracks for long drives

If there is one recurrent theme in my life over the last two-and-a-half weeks it is On the Road Again. Vacation for us is a good twelve-to-fourteen hour drive (one-way), and this year I added two trips to IKEA when I got home (yep - two. If you live a distance from IKEA (like I do) I recommend you check to make sure you have all the pieces you need if you are building a bed. All of them. Every box. Trust me -- check with the service counter before you leave.) Then, just to get some variety of scenery, we drove to Reno to pick up my daughter at the airport. The savings on the ticket cost to Reno (rather than Sacramento) seemed worth it when we pushed "send" but, as I have finally surrendered to the cold germs swarming around the family, Reno was feeling like a trek-and-a-half yesterday.

The burden of each of these drives was lightened by great company (all or a select few of my family members, depending on the drive), and by nice weather. We had be-a-u-tiful fog in Emeryville at IKEA; the chilly, "why didn't I bring a sweatshirt?" kind of weather that I love. On the way to Reno we were treated to a show of lightning that was spectacular. My apologies to any Nevada readers, but the landscape just over the California border is usually downright ugly, but the darkening skies did something magical to the coloring on the hills and we were in awe of the beauty. The rain smelled heavenly, and the cat paws and other dust got washed off of the van.

Beginning with our first drive to Oregon seven years ago, we have made it a tradition to get books on tape. We made great selections this year, and we recommend them highly:

For the drive up to Portland:


The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis, Narrator Kenneth Branagh

Narnia and Kenneth Branagh...need I say more? Just know that he does a great job on all the animal voices, and we were reluctant to stop except for the most desperate of needs.

The rest of the drive we listened to music, which is a new development. We often pull out "wake us up" music when we are driving at night, but the growing age of the audience in the back of the car meant requests for music during the daylight hours. We listened to:

The Best: Sittin' in Again, Loggins & Messina. Songs from our youth, it was fun to sing along.

House of Worship, Twila Paris. A good choice for the "Let's have some quiet" moments in the car. To wake up or to fall asleep, this worship music soothes and lifts our hearts to Him.

and the previously recommended:
Hot House, by Bruce Hornsby. Especially helpful during the afternoon dip, when a swim in a pool would be nice or just a frosty latte would suffice. In lieu of that, Bruce.


From Portland to the coast:

Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America

"Laughter, tragedy and astonishing triumphs abound in this storytelling biography of our sixteenth president who used humor, strength and moral clarity to steer a nation and a people through their most trying times."

For most of our twelve hour blitz home (think horse to the barn) we listened to:

In the Reign of Terror , by G.A. Henty and read by Jim Weiss.

"As the French Revolution begins, a young englishman, Harry Sandwith, is hired by a French nobleman to be a companion to his sons. At first seen by the aristocrat's family as beneath their class, Harry soon proves himself by saving the lives of the girls in the family. Then, in the midst of the French Revolution, Harry must summon all his courage to save and protect his French friends. In the Reign of Terror is both a vivid picture of one of history's most important events and also a thrilling adventure."

I'm not sure what we will do when the family is done listening to Jim Weiss. He has always been an extra passenger on our travels, and a trip to Oregon wouldn't feel right without him. Hopefully, I will never need to know.


To IKEA:


Cinderella Man soundtrack.

I loved the movie, and had no recollection of the music at all. Our children danced to one of the songs with their friends, and they asked if we could get the CD. A little 20's jazz, some Irish jigs, and a lot of poignant tunes, it's a fine collection of music. I think the Depression era has a lot to teach about the value of people over things, and I am happy to have the music to bring it to mind.


7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, by Stephen R. Covey

Not my usual choice of audio companion, I decided to listen to these CDs in preparation for the new school year and in anticipation of creating a family mission statement. When it first began, my older boys were a bit taken aback. "Um, Mom, what IS this?" was the general reception it received. A few minutes later, quiet requests were coming for me to turn up the volume. I am not done listening yet, but I like what he has to say about priorities. Good stuff.

Now, I am going to stay home and blow my nose.

The March of the Penguins

I decided to take my children to the theater this last week. It is a rare occasion for us, so it would be something special to do while my oldest was gone. When Fellowship of the Ring came out, my husband and I had not been to the theater for fourteen years. Does that give you an idea of how rarely we go? Since then, we have spare change and good babysitting more often, and we appreciate more films that have hit the big screen, but it is still a special event.

Well, I took my four children and my mother to see March of the Penguins. My mother and I loved it. My older children thought it was "fine." My youngest, however, was very unhappy. There is a point in the movie where one of the baby penguins dies. This is a film about how hard it is for the penguins to survive, and some of them don't. Well, the mother is nudging the little bird, and she moans the most horrible sound. As an adult, and even as older children, we felt sad. My youngest, though, sobbed. I felt so terrible. This was not the only point in the movie that bothered my son. He didn't like that the mother or the father penguin has to go far away to feed while the other is caring for the egg or baby. He wanted all those penguins together, alive, and safe.

I am glad that he is a sensitive boy. He is extra tall for his age, and I think I have been caught in the trap of assuming he is older than he is. I found this easy with my oldest, simply because she was older than all the other children. Now, it is a temptation again. Tall, articulate, coordinated, he is able to keep up with the crew on the ski slopes, on the basketball court, and in the family banter around the table. I need to remember he is six. I need to remember he is, gratefully, a sensitive boy who still wants there to be a happy ending.

Until we meet again

At 8:40 this morning I found myself surrounded by my sons, our noses pressed against the windows of the Sacramento Airport. We were watching a departure with special care, unable to move until we could see the plane no more. On it was my daughter, and she will be gone for six days; this is her first flight without her family. I have been thrilled that she could take a trip to Idaho to attend Schola Academy with her online tutor and students from across the country; just as I could meet some of my blog homies last week, she can meet her online classmates. But, I found myself with a massive lump in my throat as the plane lifted off. I fully trust God for her life and my life, but we have been forever changed by the loss of loved ones at very young ages. Cancer, car accidents, water skiing accident, work-related accident, seizure...we have said goodbye to many, all under the age of forty. Those experiences don't make me cling or cushion those around me from possible disaster, but they do make me look in my loved one's eyes when I say good-bye. "I love you" gets said, hugs and kisses are given. The size of her lovely blue eyes, and the intentionality of her bravery as we said good-bye, showed me that these lessons have reached her heart as well.

This dear person just turned fifteen yesterday. It was our first day home from vacation (read: tired and laundry), she had to work, and she received the news that dear friends will be moving. But amidst the sadness there was plenty of celebration: the birthday breakfast, the cards and gifts from friends and family, the excitement of packing for a long-awaited trip.

When I think of my oldest, I am overwhelmed with the young woman she is becoming. She is talented in so many areas (languages, piano, needlework of many kinds, gardening, cooking, and writing to name a few), and she is growing in wisdom and grace. We talked around the table about all our favorite Birthday Girl qualities, and among the compliments were gratitude for time she spends with her siblings (reading Wodehouse to the older boys, The Hobbit to the younger two) and how she fills our house with her beautiful voice and her ringing laughter. She's quite a serious bible student, with a passion for literature and history, but she can find a pun or pull a practical joke with great skill and timing. She's been known to skin a snake and map out its internal organs, and yet would prefer never to be within a mile of a moth. This unpredictable girl is a TREASURE!

I don't usually post pictures with the full-on view of my children's faces, but I could not resist today. This was taken in the airport, just minutes before she boarded the plane. Somehow, we all couldn't get close enough.


The big sister

(Note: the little sister -- the one with the two-pack-a-day cough - was home with Daddy today. We drove off to IKEA after the airport, and just the thought of coughing her way through the warehouse was enough to make her want to go to bed. There seems to be a nasty, choking-cough-kind-of-cold going around. It's a lingerer...beware.)

So, we will continue to appreciate our Birthday Girl in her six day absence. I feel like Sophie the dog, constantly watching out the window for her return. There is the usual work and play to be had this week, and we have every intention of living it to the fullest, but I will have a chunk of my heart in a northern Idaho farm house, as I pray my way through each day.

May you have the time of your life, snug!

Vacation: the film version

Mt. Shasta



Friends



Haystack Rock in the morning mist



Coffee, monks, ocean -- aahhh!



Flowers



A view from the forest

There is a significant piece of our week that is missing here. In addition to the cute youngsters on the swing, our week was packed with great visits with other friends. Friends from our Bay Area past as well as newer ones. Of special note here in the blogosphere is that I was able to meet the couple that write at Wittingshire and dear Sparrow from Intent at MomBob's beach house (MomBob of WPMs fame.) The transition from cyberspace to face-to-face life was a real pleasure!! More stories will come, along with grateful reflections on my now-fifteen-year-old, but first I must launch my daughter on her first flight without her family, and make my semi-annual drive to IKEA for a few essentials. You'd think I had done enough driving in the last ten days, but I guess not.

Home sweet home

Our vacation is over, and we are HOME. The work of unloading is done, the really gross items from between the van seats have been extracted, the third pile of laundry is already in the dryer, and we have settled in quickly. Thirteen hours of driving today (including three meal stops and a handful of other rest stop moments) and we are happy to stretch, be alone, be quiet, be loud, be HOME. There are many stories to tell, and pictures that will tell it better than words. But, for now, my lids are drooping and I am still needing to play Birthday Fairy for our eldest daughter who turns fifteen tomorrow. Sixteen years ago today I miscarried our first baby, and I remember wondering if I would ever have another child. A year later, as the pains of labor began, I was so grateful for a full-term baby. Well, honestly, I was a little cranky at having an eleven days overdue baby, but thrilled to be a mother.

Fifteen years ago...wow. It's been quite a journey.

More soon.

It's good to be home.