the brew*crew adventure

Our 9 year old daughter, T, has been wanting me to "do a real horse-study" with her for months now, and finally, we have begun. Yes, today, on Friday, at the end of the week we've officially started our study. *smiles* She is so ready and was literally begging to start this afternoon, rather than waiting until next week . Our study guide, Beautiful Feet's History of the Horse: A Literature Approach to Equine History arrived in the mail yesterday. I've admired it for years, knowing that eventually we'd get it and dive in together.

T was/is ecstatic and has been perusing it since it got here, savoring it... has all of the other books for the study all stacked up neatly in a pile, awaiting their turn to be called upon for use/reading in the study.  After having her already waiting for practically a year to start, I didn't want her to have to wait any longer... especially now that with this guide, she really needs minimal direction from me anyhow. So, why not? I said and today we did the first lesson together.

With T being the horse lover that she is, I found that we already owned most of the books recommended for the study, and I was then able to acquire the few that we didn't already have from Paperback Swap. So, I've only had to actually buy the guide itself. We were doubly blessed that copies of the books we did receive from pbs were in like-new condition.

Today we read about Arabians from her Encyclopedia of Horses and she started her notebook, an aspect of the study that she's relishing, and I'm so glad that this guide provides direction for. For her first notebook page she found and then drew a diagram of the horse from the front of her encyclopedia, and then labeled the parts of the horse (most of which she already had memorized). Next she read about Arabians from her Album of Horses (an absolutely beautifully illustrated book), gave a narration as to why Arabians make such good desert horses and then drew a side view of a horse rearing, from her Draw 50 Horses book. Underneath the picture she wrote the quote, "And God took a handful of southerly wind, blew His breath over it and created the horse." which is from a Bedouin legend, the entirety of which she read to me from her horse encyclopedia. And all that was just lesson 1. She asked me if she could work on it over the weekend, and wants to do lesson 2 tomorrow... Why did I wait so long to get this for her?

For lesson 2, she'll begin reading King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry (first two chapters) and will then also begin a glossary of terms in the back of her notebook by defining bloodlines, stud and mare, and she'll study a pedigree/bloodline graph. We'll discuss a bit of how breeding works as well as how bloodlines are traced, along with some more vocabulary. There are some discussion questions listed as well regarding her reading of King of the Wind. She'll then draw a map of Morocco, marking the Atlas Mountains and the Strait of Gibraltar. In the next, third lesson, she's to read two more chapters from King of the Wind, discuss some questions regarding her reading (narration prompts), will color the map of Morocco and paste it into her notebook, and will also begin the Bible memory verses section of her notebook (copy and memory work), the first entry of which is described as being "just how the Arabian reacts when it hears the trumpet sounding war.";

“Have you given the horse strength?
Have you clothed his neck with thunder?

Can you frighten him like a locust?
His majestic snorting strikes terror.

 He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength;
He gallops into the clash of arms.

He mocks at fear, and is not frightened;
Nor does he turn back from the sword.

The quiver rattles against him,
The glittering spear and javelin.

He devours the distance with fierceness and rage;
Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded.

At the blast of the trumpet he says, ‘Aha!’
He smells the battle from afar,
The thunder of captains and shouting.

~Job  39.19-25

I know that this is going to be a wonderful study for T, as it seems already to have been custom made for her. So far I really appreciate how it's so clearly organized and the lessons seem to be just the right amount of work for her to enjoy, yet be a bit challenged by. Also, she'll finally have guided opportunity to get the most enjoyment from all of these lovely horse books she's been collecting over the years, only a couple of which she's read. Today, she excitedly exclaimed to me, between reading pages of her Horse Encyclopedia aloud, "I'm really getting into this! This is the first time that I read all of the words on the pages of this book. Before I just looked at all the pictures!" It's been admired and "looked at" for years by her, how fun (and probably perfect timing actually) to now delve deeper into it with her. How my heart leaped to see the sparkle in her eyes and hear the anticipation in her voice. I think that the notebook will turn out to be a beautiful keepsake too. She's already excitedly mentioned her using the guide "to someday teach baby S about horses when she's bigger".

Here's a listing of the other books that she'll be using in her horse study this year.

Technorati Tags: horses, literature, curriculum, horse study, beautiful feet guides, literature guide, equine history

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It's 5:20 AM!, and I've been awake for well over an hour now. I laid in bed for almost 40 minutes, trying to go back to sleep, but to no avail. My mind was whirling with thoughts, composing them, unwinding words from skeins of memory and perception, hoping that I would even be able to find them to explore and ravel later, these prose lacking cohesive meaning. I deliberated over whether or not to risk waking baby S, whether to get up and write them out, lest they disappear with my consciousness if I sleep- elusive and so easily lost they are, like grasping at wind, or trying to hold onto light. I was wishing that I had one of those writer's pens with a light, but wondering would that even work, without waking S and Chris, both obliviously snoozing on either side of me... and so, as the thoughts piled and sleeping I was not, I decided to climb out of bed at this totally crazy hour and write... since the words were still piling and I was too entangled to rest.

Last night, as I was putting baby S to sleep, I remembered that I had a bag on the table where I'd left it this afternoon, with a roll of deep, forest green wool yarn in it, and smooth, wooden needles looped with the beginning rows of a scarf that I'm knitting. In the same instant I realized that I wanted to knit (just really felt like doing it- right then, curious.), but I knew that it was late, and baby S probably wasn't going to let me get up and leave from nursing her to do anything- I tried anyways. Nope, didn't work. Heh. So, I laid there, falling asleep, and wishing that I could get up and knit, because I can.

That's right, I can! My dear friend Christine, accomplished knitter and wonderful teacher that she is, showed me (again, only it was my daughter T who showed me how the first time- earlier this year) how to cast-on, and helped me to figure out what I was doing wrong before, that had been bringing me so much frustration and eventually caused me to give up entirely for the greater part of last year (thus the having forgotten even how to cast-on and having to start over from the beginning part). It would be too technical and hard (for me) to try and explain what exactly I was doing wrong, but suffice it to say, that T will also benefit from my lesson yesterday, as she was having the same problem with her own knitting, which I'd inadvertently picked up. But now, finally, I've got it, and knitting is fun!

Somehow, as I lay there in bed last night, somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, it occurred to me that knitting is a bit like writing... but I don't know if I shall be able to do the epiphany justice with my written words here, as it was a visual realization.  Case in point though.

I felt saw how the words I was formulating into strands of meaningful thoughts were like yarn I was pulling from a ball of potential, twisted threads of yet disorganized, shapeless promise, rich in texture, and brilliant in their hue. Every word that I could stitch with precision was one more link in a chain of conceptualization that would eventually be a complete thought piece. If I could only stitch one to the next, and to the next, and to the next... pulling and pushing them from the skein of memories, meanings, questions wound by daily living and nestled restlessly, yet unformed, waiting within my subconsciousness, dependent upon the crafter's hand, the writer's pen, to pluck them, to bring the thread of insight through the loop of consciousness and incoorperate it into a pattern of understanding, maybe even a humble garment of wisdom to be worn eventually, with a pattern worthy of sharing that someone else might want to learn from and follow, someday.

I found the analogy fascinating, and had to get the beginnings of it out... as I'm sure there's more there that I'm not seeing yet, amateur writer and newbie knitter that I am, both. These ruminations remind me of one of my favorite quotes concerning writing,

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

~ William Makepeace Thackeray

And along those lines, certainly there must be a thousand pieces lying within a woman that she does not know till she takes up a needle to knit, or a brush to paint, or...

Truly, creativity is soul-food, satisfying in all its varying forms. I've always wanted to be an artist when I grow up. And maybe I am becoming one after all... as I learn what it truly means to be an artist... it is to observe with care, and then to create with intent. The longer I live, and the more I learn by doing, the more I'm realizing that art is living, and learning to see the spectacular in the commonplace, growing, nurturing, giving attentiveness to detail, and forming with purpose; be it a child's willfulness and imagination, a poem, a scarf, an orderly home, a healthy meal, or clay.

These creations are, or can should be, culminations of us, our efforts, careful offerings to the Lord as well as to those around us. The eternal power of creativity found residing within those hidden, quiet moments of communion with the Almighty , gifted to us in our likeness toward our Maker, savored and realized in humble stitches, intuitive strokes, home-made teas, gardens tended, love made, children's drawings displayed, and choice words in poetry read aloud... or encompassing silence of dreams untold.

Yes indeed, I like knitting, it's somehow like writing. Writing is like knitting... words framed and knit together in such a way that they may be seen, felt, and worn... thoughts that unless written, realized and shared, would have no warmth or life to offer, like that ball of yarn which is not yet a scarf that my boy can wear, but everything necessary to make one... if only I will give it my time, and concerted effort, one stitch at a time.

I don't know if my thoughts are lost in translation here, but I certainly feel accomplished to have risen with the morning and put them in print. Yes, I do believe that one could even go so far as to say that so much in life that's worth having, knowing and doing, is like knitting... yarn ravelled into garments, wisdom knitted from a life lived, words fitted together and mounted upon a page like gems... Counting of the days... like stitches in a tapestry woven, that we may gain a heart of wisdom, know His pattern for our lives...

So, should can I go back to sleep now, or should I knit? Or write more? hehe. Chris is getting up now, the coffee/teeccino is on... baby S is still sleeping. Looks like rain outside, with a little thunder. Mmmmmm-hm, a good day has begun. If only I didn't have to go grocery shopping, which means the dreaded walmart (uggh.). *sighs* Aaaah well, that's later, and I always like going to the salvage store too, to see what treasures I might find cheap there.

You see what happens here? I write a few posts, and then it's like I've turned on the tap or something, the thoughts keep flowing. Yes, there's much more, this is merely an aside to the swirling thoughts that whirled about in my sleepy brain last night and rudely awakened me this morning- mere asides, always seems to be the bloggable thoughts, the outer strings I guess, to follow my own analogy out. At least my journal pages are filling, even as I'm tiring of my own wordy self now. Funny how that works, the words seeming to come all at once, or not at all. At least now, when I can't write, I can knit...

*Update Today*

It is a perfectly rainy, thunderous day outside, which makes for a cozy, special time inside. T just finished making a new peanut butter/birdseed birdfeeder on a giant pinecone, we've sweet potatoes with EVO and sea salt baking in the oven, and a double batch of wholegrain wheat bread dough mixing (plenty for cinnamon rolls!). Grocery shopping has been cancelled for now. Chris got off work early, due to the rain, and has volunteered to get groceries, what a guy! Baby S is napping now, and I thought that I would be too, but I'm having too much fun knitting with T, between sipping hot tea and reading snippets of The Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book, while N strums chords on his guitar.

Technorati Tags: knitting, writing, art

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This is what is posted on our wall, and our family is currently working on memorizing together.

Psalm 121

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

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Well, I wrote a little update about what our baby girl has been up to lately and need to now update you on our big girl, T's latest accomplishment.

As many of you know, T loves animals, and training them. She's specifically fond of horses, birds and dogs, and even more especially the ponies she rides, her late cockatiel and Samson, our German Shepherd dog, whom she's been "training" for years.

Something I've really come to admire about T is how she'll get an inspiration, an idea, and will go after it with gusto... whether it's writing a story, creating or researching something, or "training and showing" her animals. She keeps her eye on a goal and makes it happen, regardless of discouragement, doubts and sometimes a lot of waiting.

Here she is in 2005 (she was 6 years old, he was 6 months old!)  around the time that she first became interested in training and showing him.

...and another here.

For some time, she's wanted to enter Samson in a local dog show (held just for fun and to raise money for the local humane society) during our city's annual week-long "Fun Festival" celebration. Up until last week though, it hasn't worked out, since for the past couple of years, Fun Fest has been during the same week as the annual week-long Summer Horse Camp that N and T's riding instructor puts together and N and T have attended instead.

However, this year, we were able to attend Fun Fest's Pet Dog Parade, and I do believe the timing was perfect for both T and Samson. She wouldn't have really been big enough to handle his 100+ # self in such a public setting before now (and honestly, we even had our doubts last week, and went into it praying for them both) and Samson probably wouldn't have had the maturity to chill out before this summer. But try and tell T that... the horse camps were a wonderful time in and of themselves, but also offered timely delays.

So, she had been working with him for months now, daily, and had their routine all worked out. The big day came last Monday evening... and she was ready, but we wondered... was he? I'm sorry to have to say that even I cautiously discouraged her from going through with it, because I was afraid that Samson wouldn't handle it well (visions of trauma- he gets very protective and growly when we take him to the vet). She assured me that he would do fine, I relented- knowing that he's a good boy, and I'm a bit paranoid- and we entered him into three different categories.

They did quite well together. Chris and I were so proud of T as she took him into the ring all by herself, answered questions asked of her by the newman, and of Samson, as he went along so obediently, and played nice. We were all pleasantly surprised (except T, who expected it) with how well Samson did in such a public setting, surrounded by hundreds of other dogs.

1. Handsomest Male: He tood 2nd place, out of 27 dogs! A dalmation took 1st. YAY Samson and T!
2. Best Costume: Samson and T received an honorable mention in this category. The competition was steep, with extravagant costumes on dogs and owners. T was dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood, and Samson was the Big Bad Wolf, dressed up as Grandma. I thought they were absolutely adorable, T with her red cape that her Aunt Barbara made for her, and Samson with a scarf over his ears, definitely the cutest pair out there!
3. Best Tricks: Samson and T took 2nd place again! She did so good, competing against adults even. She had him sit and lay down by silent command, shake, do high-five/down low, jump up for a treat, and the clincher that made the crowd go "Whoooo..." was when she balanced a treat on his nose, and he sat there with it, until she said "okay" at which point he tossed it up in the air and caught it in his mouth (which she's taught him to do). A little schnauzer jumped through hoops to take 1st place, literally. She belonged to another homeschooling family that we met at co-op this year, and was trained by a friedn of T's, so it was fun to have them place before us. They deserved it! As we left the show, N was proclaiming, "Homeschoolers dominate!" LOL

Sorry that I'm unable to share any of our pictures from the show, due to my prior mentioned computer woes. But here's an older pic of Samson, looking quite handsome.

Once again, T's big dreams and tenacity have paid off, and once again, she has inspired her older brother... who's already started working with Samson for next year's show, which he's claimed showing rights for.

And speaking of big... I took T shopping for new shoes last week, because only her flip-flops still fit her, and am fumbling over the fact that she- at 9.5 years old- is now a size 8.5 in women's!  Our little girl is not so little anymore... *sighs*

**Update** T just wrote about the dog show here over at her blog.

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Obviously, not blogging, heh. We've had some serious computer issues in the last few weeks. Our iMac has been out of commission for a couple of weeks now, and after downloading all of our files and pictures onto cd-roms while having it in safe mode (the only way it would even work- I am SO thankful to have been able to save my photos!!), and then a few nights of fruitless frustration as Chris tried to diagnose and fix it on his own via Mac-help forums- mr.mac is now in the shop. We've yet to hear back what's wrong with it though, and hoping it's not too much $$ to fix.

Meanwhile we've been dependent upon Chris's ancient lap-top with it's finicky wireless internet connection (which all last week wouldn't even connect- at all!?) for any online access. And it's so s-l-o-w too and thus, until now, I've not even attempted to get online for quite awhile. We've been so busy around here lately, that I haven't had time to miss my online access too much anyway.  Sorry if you've emailed me and I haven't responded yet... now you know why.

This morning, a friend called and offered to take N and T to the park with her kids, and now baby S is napping, so I thought that I'd take advantage of these few moments of solitude to attempt a little updating here (albeit partial). I read my previous rambling post and am embarrassed at how grammatically pitful it is! So sorry, and I do hope that this post isn't as bad. I was tempted to edit the other, but thought that I'd better go ahead and just write a new post instead, so... thank you to all of my readers who read my musings, despite their flightiness and many technical flaws. I love you, and am indebted to your patience in reading my rambling scribblings in their raw, unedited state.

Obviously, I cannot write everything that I'd like to in this post. (can I, ever?).. so I'll brainstorm a quick update of recent happenings with the brew crew here, and then fill in the blanks later as I'm able (have time and onlince access).

So now, in no particular chronological or reasonable order, the virtual brain download shall ensue...

We've been blessed to have lots of visits this summer, by friends and family from afar. My mom recently visited with us from MS, and we had a good time. Our friends from FL, Russ and Barbara, were here for a few days and nights, the week before last. We always have a good time catching up, and it's like no time has passed since last we saw them. We just found out that some other friends of ours from FL, John and Jennifer W., will be stopping in for a visit next week, on their way back from vacation. We haven't seen them for years, so that will be fun! And I also recently got word from my sister that she's going to come up here for a visit, with her kids, also next week, so we will have a house FULL. It will be so good to see her again (she came here when baby S was born, but I wasn't very good company then, so it'll be good to see her now that I'm myself again, and I'm so glad that she'll get to see baby S again), and her kids, whom we've not seen for a couple of years.

I have been up to my eyeballs in planning our reading schedule for the summer and next year (Ambleside Online inspired), though I put all of that aside last week, due to an unexpected turn of events. Last week was Creative Arts Camp at our church, and as I was leaving from dropping N and T off on Monday morning, I stopped to remind Elizabeth, director for the dance ministry, that I was available throughout the week to help- if there be any need. She suggested that I stay for the adult art class at 10 o'clock. I was caught quite off guard as I'd not expected this, and had all sorts of plans of stuff I needed to do last week, so I thanked her for the invite, and said I'd think about it and may return (it was only 8:40 a.m.).

I then got in the car with baby S and went grocery shopping, having pretty much dismissed the idea. But I kept thinking that maybe I ought to go (nursery was provided) and just take an hour "off" -for me- and it might be fun to get my hands dirty with some art, hadn't done that in awhile. So... feeling spontaneous and daring, I quickly dropped the groceries off at home and jetted back to the church for "class", figured that it would be good for me, and it was so sweet of Elizabeth to offer, afterall. Then after art class, I was told that I should go to the adult tap class, and since I had my tap shoes there (N was using them for his class) I did, and after tap, when I went to pick baby S up from the nursery, Elizabeth, who was in the nursery with her daughter at the time, asked me why I was leaving, and said that I ought to stay for the whole day (two more dance classes), all week (free of charge)... and so I did, and thus, I unexpectedly ended up at Creative Arts Camp, with my kids, from 8:40-2:30, Monday through Friday of last week. It was SO tiring, and SO MUCH fun!

I found out that I absolutely love ballet (never would have guessed this- I am so not graceful) and was SO sore all week from it as well. I have even decided to take the adult ladies ballet class, starting in the Fall. It will be a great way to exercise, with accountability, and a creative way to worship as well. I never would have suspected how much I'd like ballet, nor how strenuous the techniques and choreography my teacher would teach us would be, and how worshipful the experience.

Also, something else that happened at camp last week that was neat-O (besides making art!)... I got to talking with the lady who was teaching the art class for adults, who recently moved here to TN with her family. She asked if I attend Celebration Church, to which I answered that yes, we do, but also shared about our other Messianic/Hebraic fellowship group that we meet with a few times a month, host a discipleship class for, and celebrate the Biblical feasts with as well. I was taken quite by surprise when she lit up and excitedly exclaimed, "That's just what we've been looking for!" And so, they're coming over on Wed. evening for our book/Bible study group, and looking forward to attending one of our monthly Hebraic fellowships. How cool is that?! Divine appointments...

What else have we been up to? Lately, I've been reading my Square Foot Gardening book, The Farmer's Almanac, The Count of Monte Cristo, Parables of Nature (read-aloud to N and T), The Book of the Dun Cow (also read-aloud) and CM's Homeschooling Series).

We planned and planted our summer garden by the moon this year (my fifth year of gardening- organically), with some raised beds (something I've wanted to try for years), nice (more on that later, for sure, with pictures of course). Now we're doing lots of watering, weeding and bug squashing.

T has been saving many of our cabbage worms and putting them in a terrarium that she's set up in her room, and has been delighted to watch them form chrysalises and then morph into butterflies right before her eyes. She's now "raised" five butterflies so far (more just emerged last night), and has figured out that it takes them about a week and two days to transform. Now she's begging me to let these cabbage butterflies (my garden nemesis!) live... *sighs* I told her that we could do a butterfly drop at the local state park soon.

We went and saw Prince Caspian awhile back, with my Mom while she was here. We all liked it (though due to baby S's eventual restlessness, I had to leave the theatre half way into it). T re-read the book in preparation for watching the movie. I'd read it aloud to N and T, along with the other Chronicles of Narnia books, a couple of years ago. Also, that reminds me, N recently read The Hobbit, and then The Two Towers and so Chris and I conceded decided to let him watch TLoTR trilogy for the first time last month, and he LOVES it. He was glad that he'd read the books first, and says he wishes the same producers would make a movie of The Hobbit. Then we recently found out that they ARE!

As you may remember, we've recently finished our first year of being involved in a homeschool co-op (actually two separate co-ops!). I haven't posted much about them, due to it's being such a busy year with having a newborn and all (baby S was 2 wks. old when we started last Fall), but overall, we all liked it. We did end up dropping the second co-op after the first semester, found that two was too much, the kids agreed. I'm glad that we'd decided to try out the second one though, because that ended up being the one that we all found we preferred (for various reasons) and stuck with for the second semester and will continue to be a part of next year, though only for one hour/class each week.

I found that the benefits of co-op were social/relational as much as academic, naturally (probably even more so for the kids, who definitely value the social aspect the most). We met some great new friends there, definitely destiny. I've found that it's going to be really important to make sure that co-op complements, rather than competes with (time-wise and methodology-wise), what we're doing with our own studies and goals at home, if co-op is to continue to be worth the time and effort it requires of me/us in years to come... We'll simply play it by ear, from one year to the next.

N is still taking guitar lessons, and will continue with that. T is so very excited about starting violin lessons next year (via a strings class being offered at co-op next year). Actually, her strings class is the only reason we're participating in co-op next year. N says that he'd prefer to work with me in the nursery during that hour, but I'm hoping that something will be offered that he's interested in.

I've felt such a relief these last few months as I've pondered and prayed over what direction to take my kids in our studies in the future. The Lord has reminded me to keep our Bible studies and devotional time first and foremost. For the summer, I've printed out a list of Scripture references from the Gospels, arranged chronologically, that N and T are looking up and reading independently in their own Bibles each day. They're then writing down their thoughts, from each reading, as to what stood out to them the most, and why, in their Bible journals. They're both really enjoying the consistent routine and simplicity of this, and I've been so blessed to listen as they read to me from their Bible journals.

Finally, clarity of focus is taking hold of my planning again, and I've felt renewed in my dedication to the discipline of prioritizing our daily endeavors. I'm scheduling our reading lists with a view towards our years to come, yet determined to take it slow and steady enough to enjoy where we are at each point along the way. It's all so simple, really, and yet I do tend to over-complicate things if I'm not careful. 

I do believe that I've finally learned that truly, less is more, and as I've been reorganizing the books on our shelves into the order that they're found or relate to AO years, I've been wondering over how I've come full circle now back to the very first curriculum that the Lord led me to so many years ago when we first began... when now 12yo N was only six years old! But I doubted and fretted and wandered away, only to return with regrets for time and focus lost, as we dabbled with this and that. At least for all of our eclectic stumblings, I've gained determination and perspective... and I certainly know what we're not about! LOL

The more I read, the more I believe in Charlotte Mason's methods, and uderstand how intrinsically practical truths are applied throughout her educational philosophy. I'm glad to finally be getting rid of all this extraneous stuff (curriculum I'd been holding on to and trying in vain to use all of these years, and have been selling these last few months) after realizing that all of my wayward efforts to add to and over-tweak Ambleside in the last couple years has done nothing but side-track and bog us down in our studies... After years of dabbling with AO, while simultaneously trying to do other stuff, I have finally realized my error has been in my hoarding and accruing TOO much stuff.

As I think back over the past few years, and how busy life has had us (especially the year before this last one, when we babysat two infants and two toddlers) I can't help but to realize that - had I been focused and determined upon our course with AO, in its unrushed yet meaty simplicity - we would have gotten so much more accomplished. *sighs* And so, as I survey the BIG picture of our homeschooling history thus far, it is with humble misgivings over mistakes made and lessons learned that I end this year. I vow to not over-complicate the process from here on out... and if this rambling doesn't make much sense to you, then forgive me, it's more for my own self that I'm writing this out really, just part of the journey, my learning.

Well, baby S is awake now, N and T just got home, and I've got to take N to guitar practice now. Thanks for reading, if you made it this far. The garden and house were pretty much neglected last week as the kids and I played and worshipped our Lord at Creative Arts camp, and this lap top is so slow, so it may be a while yet before I have a chance to blog some more. Also, my email access is limited since I have to log on to charter's website to check my email, and my online access is limited at that. I hope that our computer issues are resolved soon though, as I'm feeling quite disconnected...

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T has started herself a new blog, here: Samson & Me

Mom, aka. Grandma(s), just click on the title to hop on over and visit her. Friends and family, I'm sure that she'd love to hear from you, be sure and leave her a comment. There's nothing more encouraging to a writer than knowing she has an audience.

She's been honing her typing skills (speed) so that she can "write faster" on the keyboard, and is very excited about her new online journal (versus her old one).

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I just love this time of year... getting outside, gardening, newness of life everywhere, renewed vision as I take stock of where we've been in the last year, overall as a family and particularly the kids and I with our academic studies. Every year I've had to remind myself that the most important lessons we've learned in the prior "school year" (although we homeschool year-round really) weren't in my plans, and usually aren't even immediately visible in any of my records or papers anywhere, for it's the spiritual lessons and deepening of our souls that matter most. The greatest successes of our homeschool journey thusfar are evident in the demeanor and character of our children, the closeness of our family. Chris and I love that we too are learning so much with our kids, every. single. day.

As I mentally shuffle through old schedules and plans from last year, I have to fight off discouragement, seeing all that is left undone... Again, I'm looking to the Lord for my direction in the year(s) to come, trying to discern what I can do to better facilitate my childrens' education and my entire family's well-being... versus what I should just let go of. This is the time of year that I intuitively take stock of how far we've come, re-evaluate our goals and realign my plans for where we're headed next year accordingly.

I've recently made what was for me a hard decision to make- to move N up into his own AO year with most of his studies now (history/literature/science, etc.), so that he can progress without rushing T's studies. In the past we've kept our history studies together, and I'm sure that there will still be some overlap as N and T glean from what the other is doing as we talk about our studies (which inevitably flows from narrations), as well as the fact that T will be learning some ancient history with N and I as we'll still be doing our Bible studies together. I do believe that this decision is a good one, for numerous reasons (which I'm already starting to see even- more on that later), even though it's taken me a long time to get here (part of the *letting go* I'd mentioned earlier- it's really okay that N hasn't read every. single. book in every, single year before AO Y6, it really is okay, duh! *obsessive* me).

For the last couple (few?) of months I've been going through all of my old curriculum and books that I've accumulated over the last 7+ years we've homeschooled, and purging everything that isn't just loved and perfect for us- enough that I want to save it for baby S (like our fave readers and literature. This is the first time I've done this, and it feels good. It comes at a time (appropriately) when I'm at a sort of turning point within myself, as far as homeschooling with my kids goes, that's hard to explain, but I may try to in another post~ basicly just a realization of the fact that I'm gaining clarity in what works for us (and what doesn't), our goals for the future, what I wish I'd done differently thusfar, etc.

Anyways, so far, I've sold about $300!! worth of books and curriculum! Yeah, I was once a curriculum junkie... searching for the golden fleece that would be the *best*, now I like it simple= CM, lots of time outside and lots of good books to read, it's what works for us, and what actually gets done. I've realized that I was missing the best for us, for a lot of other good stuff. Ironically, I've come full circle back to where I began as far as our main curriculum goes~ Ambleside Online, and it's free, what a ministry! So anyways, I am using all that money I've made to buy a few things we've needed for now and for next year. It all started when I decided that I'd really like to get N started on the Teaching Textbooks math curriculum (since that's what I want to take him through highschool, and he LOVES it, the independence and automated grading really boost his morale when it comes to doing his math assignments). We didn't have the money to buy it with though, so I finally had the motivation (that I'd apparently needed) to go through all of this stuff that's accumulated over the years (and we've even drug with us through three interstate moves!...pitiful.), and just purge, thin out. Less is more, and all that, I've finally learned, gained focus... clarity, guess it just takes time and experience for some of us.

I posted some items to our local homeschool yahoo list and sold exactly $150 worth of books, just what I needed to buy his math program. Then, since I was on a roll, I weeded out and organized more unit studies and books that I/we won't use and don't need, to sell at a local curriculum/books sale. I sold another $150 worth of stuff (with a whole box of leftovers, which I guess I'll sell online/ebay or somewhere)!! And since then I've been seeing more stuff on my shelves that I really don't care to keep, and have another pile of books to sell or just give away started, SO... looking forward to making some more $ before we're all said and done.

I also picked up a few gems at the NETHEA curriculum fair, which was only about a 30 minute drive from us, not too bad at all. Would you believe that it was my first time going to anything like this- ever? That's probably a good thing, since it probably would have been dangerous for me our checking account a few years ago. Heh! I was focused, with my mental wish list of what I was looking for, and what it cost new. It was great for me (even slinging baby S the whole time), an event that I sure hope to make it to next year as well. T came with baby S and I to the books sale, and we had so much fun together. She knew what she was looking for (and she found it!) and I think she was excited as I was to get there early, and to see the rows and rows of tables-full of books, lots and lots of wonderful books! She'd gone with me the afternoon before to drop our own piles off for the sale, and had spotted a few things she'd hoped would still be waiting for her when we returned the next morning for the actual sale. I'm so glad that we did go early as we did, because we still had to wait in line for an hour, and I heard from friends that they ended up having to wait longer later!

Okay, so you'd probably like to know what I found there, and what books I'm piling up around me now, as I plan for our studies for next year (or, maybe not... but I'm going to tell anyways)... So far, I have most of our AO studies planned out and in order (with only a few tweaks and book substitutions- to use what we have on hand), and only have a few things left to map out and schedule for next year, like our Grammar, and the kids' math lessons. This year, I'm going to give them each their own weekly check-off sheet so that they can keep track of their assignments, music practice, etc. and get going more independently. I'd meant to do that this last year... but, well... let's just say that we never did get around to being that organized this year.

For my planning, I've been utilizing and customizing some of the pre-formatted/laid-out scheduling pages of AO year book lists found in the files of the AO list. Realizing that planning- a workable plan- is (and has always been) my weak point. And so, aiming towards a remedy for that great malady of mine, knowing that as N and T are getting older, our household busier with baby S in the mix, and their book lists longer, I'm creating notebooks with schedules for each of us. My hope is that this will help to keep our days on track better, and in turn our weeks and terms as well.

I've learned that we need accountability one to another, and that just because I set a book aside to be read, doesn't mean that it will be read, lest I've actually scheduled into our days. However, while planning, I'm keeping in mind what I've learned about what works for myself, and for our family, over the years. I know that scheduling out our subjects into weekly chunks (and even daily readings) works great for us, helps me, but that assigning an actual date and time does not work for us. We need the structure of schedules and routines, but the flexibility of plugging in specific time and dates on a week to week basis. I've been reading up here and here on planning and taking notes (and some free forms) to heart as I proceed.

Okay, now for my frugal finds: I was especially excited to find the Bible curriculum that we're using next year, Remembering God's Awesome Acts. It's been on my wishlist for years, and I got it for less than half of what it costs new (for the workbook and TM), in excellent, like-new condition. It was the only copy there, and I just know that the Lord had that there especially for us, encouraging confirmation that He's leading us in this choice for our upcoming Bible studies together. It will add the extra emphasis on ancient history and Egypt, within a Biblical context, that I was wanting as N is going to be doing Ambleside's Year 6.

I found Easy Grammar 3/4 and 5/6 for a mere $7 each!! I also found a very nice copy of Serl's Primary Language Lessons, which I picked up for only $7, and we've all been doing PLL together (even though it's very easy for N and T, it's making for a gently formal- over the summer- introduction to our upcoming grammar studies- perfect fit for now), and we're enjoying it tremendously. I like it so much that I'm now looking to buy Intermediate Language Lessons for when we finish PLL. I like that PLL and ILL both have copywork and dictation lesson integrated into their text, and the CM friendly variety to the lessons. I'll alternate it with our Easy Grammar lessons. Simply Grammar is one of the books that I sold, and we tried using (more than once), but it just didn't work for us. So, finding and starting a good grammar curriculum- that fit us- for the upper elementary and middle years (we don't use one for early elementary) was a goal of mine which I believe has now been accomplished.

T got a few horse and riding books for a few dollars, and I found a few more living books, biographies, a nice copy of King Lear, etc. And that's all... as I said, I was focused and knew what I was looking for. I'm sure that I would have taken my time and looked more and surly found more had I stayed longer, but baby S was getting quite restless and we got out of there just in time before she was done. I was disappointed that all of the Rod & Staff math curriculum (for T) was mostly gone by the time we got there (only half an hour after the doors opened, but I hear there was a loooong line of die-hard homeschoolin' book shoppers waiting to pour in and grab up the bestest stuff fast). I purposely avoided getting there early enough for that, not up to it.

I found the following gems in the *free* pile as I left as well, as in we paid nothing for them!:
How Now Shall We Live? Student Edition, like new cond., with no markings!
Men's Manual, Vol. 2 by Institute in Basic Life Principles, in like new, very nice cond., beautiful, over-sized hardback! This book is just beautiful and so full of Godly principles applied to stewardship and financial issues. Chris is going to use this as a teaching tool for BOTH N and T (good, Biblical truths and applications for girls to know as well).
Abeka's My State Notebook, unused, very good cond., which we'll put to good use.

T found some joke books, a Wizard of Oz video, a paperback copy of The Black Stallion, as well as some Mad Libs in the free pile.

And that's that, we did good. I really must wrap this up here now (baby S is awake, I hear her calling me from my bed) and go finish cleaning this house up. Tomorrow we have a full day, Friday we have plans, and I still have a lot in the way of preparations to do before some long-time friends of ours arrive here for a visit from FL, on Sunday!! And then there's the garden that needs my attention this weekend as well...

I'll be posting some more about our gardening, nature studies and study plans for this summer and next year soon as I can. ttfn

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The peonies I'd transplanted to our front flower beds a few years ago are blooming gloriously and bountifully this month, after not doing much the last couple of Springs. I guess it just took them a couple of years to get re-established. I've been cutting lots of flowers and bringing them inside, only to find them replaced with new blooms the next day. I love how they make our whole house smell like roses... peonies are definitely a favorite of mine.

Spring is absolutely beautiful here in Tennessee. Our rhododendron bush just finished her spectacular show, as did our lilac bush, red buds and azaleas. We're looking forward to lots of apples this summer, after viewing our apple tree covered in blooms, which will be greatly appreciated after last year's late frost took most of our apple blooms and therefore our apple harvest was sparse. We may even have some cherries as the cherry sapling we planted a couple of Springs ago has gron cosiderably and flowered very nicely this year.

I'm still trying to decide where to plant the blue French mophead hydrangea plant that Chris bought me for Mother's day (another favorite! ). Hmmmm... maybe in the back of the new perennial herb/cottage garden I'm fashioning in the front of our house.

So, what are your favorite blooms (if anyone still happens by this lately dormant blog of mine)?

Thursday Challenge: for fun & learning

"PINK" (Dresses, Makeup, Flowers, Toys, Candy, Grapefruit, Cars,...)

Next Week: COMMON (Everyday Things, Food, Clothing, Things for Learning, Work, Play,...)

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Thursday Challenge: for fun & learning

This is actually last Thursday's theme, but since it's not Thursday again until tomorrow, it's still good.

"SPRING" (Leaves on Trees, Baby Animals, Green Grass, Flowers, Sunny Days, Melting Snow,...)

Next Week: FAMILY (Moms, Dads, Kids, Grandparents, Pregnant, Family Heirlooms,...)

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yet, similar... that's what I love about siblings. It's always so fascinating to me to see how different they are from eachother, and yet so alike as to be recognized by strangers as being family. Each child uniquely from the same lineage, and yet their inherited traits from both of the parents endlessy varying in each individual... simply miraculous and wonderful to behold!

This has especially been on my mind lately, since N and I have been studying dna and genetics together this week (and having all sorts of interesting discussion as we read about genetics, cloning, etc.) for his co-op science class.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

~ Psalm 139.13-16

PhotoHunt 100 theme: different

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Our journey down picture book lane with old and new friends. Here's baby S reading to Bub, Bub reading to baby S, one of her favorites... see how she's grabbing at it? I kid you not when I tell you that she likes to turn the pages and study the pictures intently already! What fun we shall have introducing our baby girl to so many wonderful books. She loves to chew on good literature already, literally!

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The free product of the week from homeschool e-store is a very handy history tool, an 8.5 x 11 century chart, "exactly like the one recommended by Charlotte Mason and Dorothea Beale, her friend and colleague." Click here to check it out.

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