in full swing

Since it has been almost a month since my last post, I just thought I would provide a quick update.

Micah is enjoying high school.  At the last soccer practice before his first game, he broke his pinky and is in a cast and then a splint for 6 weeks, cutting his season quite short.  Although it is a bit frustrating, he's had a terrific attitude and is serving his team from the sidelines.  He says he does not care to do soccer again, not because of the injury but because he has realized how good the other players are.  (He may have had potential as a goalie but finds the footwork challenging.)  This is the time to find out what he likes and doesn't!  This week he stayed after school for an outdoor adventure club hosted by his math teacher who is in the army.  Their first activity is paintballing.  My guess is that is something Micah will like!

Rachel has settled into her school routine and loves her studies so far.  It took us both about a week to learn a new way of doing things, but now it feels very comfortable and she is able to work fairly independently in most areas.  Saxon math is going well and I'm surprised at how much we both enjoy it, but should have known their systematic way of doing things would click for her.  When she's done with school she goes off on her own to write stories.  I love seeing Rachel's creative side!

Josiah loves school--what a blessing!  He comes home very excited every day, telling me the things he's done and learned.  I am seeing so many changes in how he behaves at home now that he's being kept busy and having more stimulation throughout his day.  He seems to thrive on a fast pace,  but he's always had challenges in what to do with his free time since imaginative play is so difficult for him.  It's been encouraging to see his papers come home and have a glimpse at how quickly he's picking up writing and math.  The school is collecting data to see what kind of help he may need, but so far his teacher reports that he's been doing great!

All three kids are in BSF this year thanks to a friend who offered to take them to the evening women's class.  It's going to be a blessing to study Matthew with them!

just me and my daughter

 I'm experiencing more emotions than I can count as we anticipate the start of a new school year and the boys heading off to public school.  However, almost lost in the shadow of all the details of shopping for school supplies, having my youngest start school the same year the oldest begins high school, registration, and school meetings is one very special fact: I have Rachel all to myself this year!

 

 

We moved her desk upstairs and right in front of the window per her request.  I can see why she would like this spot and may have to steal it from her someday.  Will the desk ever look that clean again in the next 9 months?

 

It was really hard to choose where to place Rachel in the Heart of Dakota curriculum, as studying ancient history intertwined with Biblical history was so tempting.  However, in the end it made the most sense to go with the middle ages because that is a better reflection of where she fits skill-wise. She also jumped at this study since it includes a Shakespeare unit: that means theater!! Since HOD is a 4 day a week program, we have time to read The Mystery of History: Creation to Christ on Fridays.  The best of both worlds, so long as she can keep it straight in her head.  Timelines will help.

 

Josiah is off to Grandma and Grandpa's house for 3 days, so Rachel and I are jumping in with half days this week.  The curriculum is a lot like Sonlight (what we have used the past 2 years) in terms of being literature-rich, but very different with more hands on and writing/narrating/reflecting on what is being read.  Almost everything we are doing this year is new: we are trying Saxon math and a different Spanish program, too. I'm anxious to see how it goes!  But also wondering how summer ended so quickly...

handwriting tricks

 I've been trying Dianne Craft's handwriting therapy with Josiah, and within four weeks we saw glimpses that it was starting to pay off!  This is pretty fuzzy thanks to the phone pictures, but here's a before and after.  The biggest change for him seems to be that writing his letters is more automatic.  The fluidity seems to be transferring from his brain to his pencil!  There are less reversals happening, too.  Another trick I learned recently for "b" and "d" is to have the child pretend that the "b" starts like a bomb dropping from the sky and then explodes into a circle, and the "d" begins with a dog's face and ends with his tail.  It seems to help!  That's not to say we don't have a long way to go, but it's encouraging to get this far so quickly.

 

Yes, it's summer, and yes, we're doing school, but just a little bit.  The funny thing is that before we can do handwriting, Josiah insists on doing everything else, too.  That means we are reading science, history, Bible, doing a finger play, and read aloud all before we do the one thing I wanted him to do that day: handwriting.  Well, worse things have happened.

 

In spite of the Abeka pages, which I used only to compare now to then, I've continued to find Handwriting Without Tears is an effective curriculum for Josiah.  He really remembers the picture cues they give to form each letter.

 

God is faithful to care for our needs, even looking after small details like a young boy's handwriting.  We are so thankful for His love and help!  He so often sends it in ways I don't expect.

 

Simple Woman's Daybook

 FOR TODAY: March 5, 2013

Outside my window...it is snowing and blowing.  We have had more snow in the past two weeks than the rest of winter combined.  My youngest is loving every minute he can get outside to play in it.  We're not sure how the robins and geese feel.

I am thinking...about ways to address my children's hearts.  As a homeschool mom I've found it is easy to focus on academics and behavior, when godly character is the pressing need of a child's development.

I am thankful...for a dear friend who moved back into town after six years of living out of state.  What a joy to reconnect with this sister in Christ, and in front of the gluten free section of the grocery store to boot!

In the kitchen...the piano that sat in it for two days has been moved.  We can no longer tap out a tune while grabbing the mustard.

I am wearing...as much purple as possible.  For me, it's the new pink.

I am creating...a picture schedule for Josiah for his afternoons.  He loves to look at the next thing on his list and do it himself.  As I'm trying to work with the older two then, I love it as well.

I am going...on a field trip with Eric's sister's family next week.  When my 19-year-old niece asked if we wanted to be included in her spring break plans, we jumped at saying yes!  We are learning the gift of watching two of these children becoming young adults.

I am wondering...what God wants me to be when my children grow up.

I am reading...Smart but Scattered.  I'd never heard of executive functioning until the past couple of months, but have become better educated.  This book has so many great ideas for helping kids organize themselves and their responses.  Maybe it will help me organize myself, too!

I am hoping...we can understand and help Rachel with her digestive issues.  Prayer needed here.

I am looking forward to...starting a Bible study on Ecclesiastes.  We'll start next week, if it will stop snowing on Tuesdays.

I am learning...to stop focusing on what my children can't do and instead stand breathless at what God has done and is continuing to do in their lives.

Around the house...new carpet!  Josiah named it Fuzzy.  Thus the reason the piano was in the kitchen.

I am pondering...summer.  Our plans have never been so up in the air.  Wondering what God has in mind!

A favorite quote for today...

Never be sad or desponding,
If thou has faith to believe;
Grace, for the duties before thee,
Ask of thy God and receive.

Never give up, never give up,
Never give up to thy sorrows,
Jesus will bid them depart;
Trust in the Lord, Trust in the Lord,
Sing when your trials are greatest,
Trust in the Lord and take heart.

-Fanny Crosby

One of my favorite things...is teaching science to my kindergartner.  He thinks cells are oh so cool.  He is oh so right!  We are studying the human body.  I am marveling at what a young man told me recently who was homeschooled until high school: the body is the pinnacle of everything God made.  It is an awesome endeavor to study it, as it reveals God's creativity as nothing else in His creation.  What a thought!  And we can't even begin to talk about the study of the soul since that won't go under a microscope...

A few plans for the rest of the week: science classes at the Discovery Museum.  Rachel is giddy about the weather class as her current plan (aside from dog breeding and teaching) is to become a storm chaser.  Josiah is going to learn about magnets.

A peek into my day...

peek at the week

Josiah has figured out he can read, really read!!  What a magical moment! One morning I sent him up to get dressed and discovered him a few minutes later, in bed reading, only half changed.  Here he is sharing a story with Nana and Poppa at bedtime.

Some surprises in the new way we are doing school: Josiah loves the fingerplays and acting things out.  On this day he chose 5 stuffed animals and labeled them with the names of family members.  Then he chose an activity for each "person" to do based on what he knew they were interested in.  Here is "Micah" doing his schoolwork.

This was my favorite: "Daddy" and "Mommy" cooking together.

We had a little Valentine's party.  Rachel had already bought herself some crafts from Hobby Lobby with a birthday gift card and enjoyed making a sun-catcher.

 

Josiah made two Valentines, one for Daddy and one for his friend J who lives next door.

 

 

Announcing...the Clippers!

 

I either need to buy a better camera, or take better pictures, or both.  But had to capture a few shots of Micah playing Upward basketball.  His team has been so much fun to watch this year.  They work so well together.  Micah scored his first basket last night, but prefers to play defense and pass the ball off to someone else for a basket.  (He's the blurry one with the ball!)

His height is definitely an asset!  I did not realize how tall he had really gotten until I saw him out on the floor with other boys his age.  Makes it easier to grab those rebounds!  It will be sad to see the season come to an end.  As far as we can tell, it may be the last time Micah plays organized basketball.  But soccer is calling his name for high school...

teaching a mover and shaker

For those who know Josiah, either in person or via this blog, it will come as no surprise to hear me say that he is a little boy who loves to move.  We started our kindergarten year with a curriculum I had pieced together by borrowing from friends and family.  Our days had a nice rhythm and routine, and we eased into "real school." 

 

Shortly after the beginning of school, a friend mentioned the name of a curriculum I had never heard of before.  I love looking at curriculum and seeing what's out there, so I sent for a catalog, thinking it would eventually end up in a drawer just like all the rest.

 

Well, I was wrong.  I looked at it, looked again, scoured the internet for reviews, looked up the website, and read the message board.  And then, when my little boy repeatedly fell out of his seat during fine motor activities and squirmed his way through a stack of stories that were above his comprehension level, I talked to Eric and we prayed.  Finally, the week after Christmas break, we switched.

 

What a switch.

 

We are in week 3 of Little Hearts for His Glory by Heart of Dakota.  I love that we have not lost anything at all by beginning mid-year.  The guide is for 5-7 year olds, and we can pick it up right where we left off when we start school next fall.  (Assuming we do put it down for the summer!)  We have Bible, dramatic play, artistic expression, science, and history planned out with an open and go, use-whatever-you-have-around-the-house format.  Story time is still a favorite, but readings are short enough to be savored and discussed, even acted out if we want.  I can add in my own phonics, handwriting, and math so we have lost nothing there.  But we have gained a child who is engaged in his learning.

 

 

After the lesson on Noah, we made a couple of boats out of aluminum foil.  The first one sank after adding two teddies, the second was a keeper!  How many teddy bears can float on it?  A lot!!!

 

 

Making the boat move without touching it...how's this for wind?

 

Say the memory verse before the Kleenex touches the ground!  Rachel looking on...she keeps asking me about what fun things she will be doing next year as we plan to switch her eventually, too.

 

For the lesson on the Tower of Babel, we had to pack a suitcase to leave.  I showed Josiah how to fold his clothes and put them in his suitcase.

 

Socks are tricky!

 

The best part?  He was talking complete gibberish because our language was confused!  The first thing he did was ask me a question in Spanish, but from there it turned into something I truly could not understand.  We loaded up the camel...then I left Josiah alone to play it out while I worked with another child.  He ended up somewhere in Japan, used his credit card, and stayed on the sixth floor of the motel. =D

 

Seatwork is exactly the same but somehow Josiah is finding that part more tolerable.  We are still adding in extra science because that's his thing.  But last week when I said something about school going great, he corrected me.

 

"No, Mom.  It's awesome!"

pictures

 

This little girl came to live with us a few weeks ago, an early birthday present for Rachel.  Or a late one...she has wanted a hamster since she was 10!  Gloria is crazy, climbing all over her cage, doing cannonballs off the top of her wheel, and once even finding her way out.  We think she fits in with our family quite nicely.  As far as waiting goes, Rachel has proven incredibly responsible in caring for her new pet.  She doesn't care for the stink, so Gloria gets a nice clean cage quite often.

 

Josiah loved putting together a model airplane with his daddy.  I think dad's feelings were mutual.

 

 

Last month we were invited to go to a homeschooling class about worms at Sugar Grove Nature Center.  Rachel and Josiah both participated and both enjoyed it.

 

Does this smile say anything about what kind of time Josiah was having?

 

I can't wait to take them to this month's class about bats!  Rachel has been studying them in science, and Josiah and I are almost there.

mid-year musings and celebrations

We are officially more than halfway through our school year.  It is so rewarding to look back to where we were on the first day of school and think about how far we have come.  I will never get over the privilege I have to spend time with my children in this season of their lives and to have a front row seat to their learning and their own personal growth!

 

 

This little guy is like a sponge, soaking up everything I can give him.  I just wish the sponge had a seat belt attached to him sometimes!  Josiah loves school but there are certainly challenges there...things need to move quickly for him or he tends to get overwhelmed.  It seems like every time I turn around I have seen ways God is providing for us...someone graciously sent us a weighted vest that helps him with focus, another friend lent us her chair pads and weighted turtle that have helped him stay planted in his seat.  But mostly, Josiah loves to listen to me read, and he especially loves his science books.  He seems to be a very hands on learner, so we will be making some adjustments in the coming weeks to provide more of those kinds of activities. Today we ventured to Sugar Grove for a class on worms.  Josiah was in his element!!

 

 

Working with Rachel this year has been such a blessing, and she has come so far.  Right now we are knee deep in her favorite period of American history--Lincoln's presidency and the Civil War.  We were a week ahead in our schedule so this week I added an extra Lincoln book and history readings that would have otherwise been skipped over in our curriculum.  She officially graduated from Math U See's fraction book to the one on decimals.  I see pre-algebra being a distinct possibility in the near future, but we'll see how long it takes to move through decimals.  We recently did some academic testing with her and were amazed to hear how well she did with math!  The person who tested her told us that homeschooling is probably the best thing we could possibly be doing with her right now.  It does seem that the quiet environment and one on one has given her a new confidence and new insights into how God made her.  I marvel over the creativity and dramatic skills I see in her...mostly because they are so foreign to how I am wired.  It makes me appreciate how uniquely God has formed each one of us!

 

I miss the read aloud times that I shared with both older kids last year, but am thankful we had one year together before breaking Micah off to do his own thing apart from Rachel.  He has really learned to take on more responsibility in his schoolwork this year; not perfectly, but it is coming.  It seems the bigger the challenge, the more enthusiasm he has to meet it.  Whatever God leads us to do next year for high school, he will be ready to embrace it!  To realize that one year from now this boy will be taking driver's education is enough to make me have little shivers go up and down my spine.  How does the time go so quickly?  He is growing in the Lord as much as in his studies, and growing in his willingness to serve.  This has been such a valuable season in life to homeschool with him.

 

Onward we shall go!  I am looking forward to see how God's hand leads us through the second half of this school year.

come again?

From our math lesson on how many cups/gallons/liters/quarts today:

"Is this page loud, Mommy?" asks Josiah.

Clueless mother fumbles for a response.

"Well, I was just wondering, because it says volume."

learning His kindness

"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

There is something very human, completely erroneous, and ugly in me.  It's this desire I have for self-righteousness. 

When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be the one who did right, never got in trouble, the one the teachers would talk about in the teacher's lounge because I was so good.  (I have been a teacher, and can now assure anyone who wonders that they do not talk at all in the teacher's lounge about the kids who are GOOD.)

When I became a mother, I wanted nothing more than to be a good mom.  Of course!  Who aspires to be a bad one?  But I thought I had that figured out.  I'd studied kids (other people's), took child development classes in college, taught school for a few years, and had high hopes for my children.

Then I had some.  And I was not a good mother.

I love my children dearly.  But from the time they were wee infants who did not know when to stop crying once their need for nourishment was satisfied in the night, to the days of toddlerhood when they asserted their demands, to the days of elementary and even middle school years, they have tested my patience, pushed me to my limit, and even driven me over the edge some days.

And thus I found out I am not good. 

Instead, I found I am selfish, easily irritated, lazy and sloppy about too many areas of my life, short sighted about what truly matters, and that those things among others cause me to act in ways that are not always good. at. all.

"For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  Matt. 9:13

In my early days of parenting, the gospel went from my head to my heart.  I realized more fully that Christ died for MY sins, that in Him alone would I find the resources to give my children what they needed (and the wisdom to not give them what they didn't!), and that He could help a selfish woman to joyfully pick up His cross and follow Him in a surrender of self-denial for the sake of the little ones entrusted by Him to her care.  Even though I didn't do that perfectly.

I still put on the self-righteous mask more often than I would like.  It took years of painful self-consciousness while leading in a local ministry before I realized that what really mattered at the end of the year was not my perfect execution each week, but that women would leave my group desiring Christ more fully than when they came into it.  That was something I could never do in my own power.

These days, I spend time daily (so very daily) with my children, trying to do this thing called home education.  It's been fun to blog about because there are some very sweet rewards, but I don't have many awesome ideas about how to go about it (so I am thankful for those who do and share them with me).  I constantly face my shortcomings as a mom, housewife, and teacher.  My kids do not speak 5 languages, sit angelically while receiving the lessons I am imparting to them, or stay as organized as I would like (I realize I am not alone here.)  I struggle to get meals on the table they can eat, and do not always have the best attitude about our limitations.  The Lord has used this time at home to strip away all my props and show me once again that my only righteousness is that of the Savior who clothes me in His, that my resources for this journey are in Him, that the outcome lies in His hands, and that He is more than enough.

His kindness becomes more evident with every passing day.

in his words...by Micah

8th grader, 13 years and 353 days old, homeschooler, devourer of books and pizza, EWO youth groupie, soccer goalie/defender, basketball player, trumpet & piano player, Tolkien fan, Lego Master, dusty old fossil lover, card gamer, video gamer, one year till driving permit, and Apple warrior against the forces of Android.

Sent from my iPod and iPhone

truths for bumpy Rhodes

 In the midst of a busy household, I've been trying to listen for the quiet voice of God as He speaks to my heart.  This fall I've been troubled that I've not been able to give all of the kids more direction in their spiritual lives.  Making sure we are in the word and praying together as a family each morning before we start our day has become a bigger priority.

 

Enter some ideas He's given recently.

 

Stones of Remembrance

After crossing the Jordan River at flood stage in Joshua 4, the people of Israel were instructed to remove stones from the middle of the river as a remembrance of God's mighty acts among them.  He wanted this to be a testimony to their children and the generations yet to come.

 

We cut out stones and wrote down some of the mighty acts of God in our lives.  This exercise went from being mainly academic straight to my heart when I read my children's stones.

 

 

Josiah's stones

 

Rachel's stones

 

My stones

 

 

God's Names 

 

For Bible we began to work through the book God's Names by Sally Michael.  Each child is constructing a poster of His names as we learn them. 

 

Josiah's poster--he says he thinks about the names of God at night when it is dark and scary.

 

"Enlarging God in a sinful world" complete with magnifying glass on Rachel's poster. How these children touch my heart!

 

(Both of Micah's projects are still in progress.)

 

Eric has been experiencing some intense leg pain in a muscle behind his knee.  Last week the doctor sent him to the hospital, suspecting a blood clot could be the cause.  As anxiety rushed through my body, the names of God and His mighty acts entered my mind just as quickly.  The remembrance of both quieted my fears and focused me on the One who has all things in His hands no matter the outcome. 

 

Good news, no blood clot.

 

I was later able to share with the kids how our discoveries had been a comfort to me.

 

These lessons are far from academic.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today: November 10, 2012

Outside my window...it was a rare, warm, beautiful November day, perfect for raking leaves, which we did at two separate homes today.  We have no trees in our yard.  Have rake, will travel!

I am thinking...that this friend has got it right.  And repenting of throwing up every fun curriculum tool I've found to use with my kids.  The precious moments together, as we learn more and more about God's amazing world, have been the most valuable part of this journey.

I am thankful...so thankful, to find that God truly can be trusted to give the equipping and emotions as He has called me to new ministry areas. 

In the kitchen...after one year, gluten free is becoming our new normal.  There is no doubt this has been Josiah's best year yet, and my attempts to reintroduce gluten for myself over the past couple of weeks have meant digestive discomfort and eczema flare ups.  It is nowhere near as horrible as some may experience, but showing me it's well worth the trouble.  Today's new recipe was banana muffins, and Eric was the chef.  They tasted great.  Our biggest problem is that the kids eat faster than we can bake.

I am creating...shh...something that has to do with the book of Jeremiah.  Trusting that whatever happens with it, God will reveal His heart to me more fully and allow me to share His truth with others.

I am going...to hold on to God for dear life as we pray and follow His leading on high school decisions.  Everyone has their own opinions, and they are all very helpful, but it has shown us how necessary it will be to listen for His voice.

I am wondering...how to make gluten free hamburger buns.   This is reminding me of a recipe I need to look up.

I am reading...Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt.  It is a gem of a book.  That reminds me, I need to finish two more chapters by Monday night.

I am hoping...to see some very dear friends over Christmas break.  Whenever I see them, it's as if they still live just down the street.  Some friendships are like that. What a blessing.

I am looking forward to...a little boy's first birthday party with just friends.  And I love google.  There is no way I could come up with such fun ideas on my own.  His theme is airplanes.

I am learning...as I seek to discern God's will, what He is doing often has far more to do with what is in my heart than the choice between one decision or another.  When I sense He may be uprooting idols, dealing with sin, or reshuffling priorities, I aim for the hard choice and trust He will do what He will do.

Around the house...we sometimes find that replacing light bulbs can become a full time job.

A favorite quote for today..."I am the Lord's servant.  May it be to me as you have said."  Luke 1:38  This verse spoke to me years ago, and I continue to cling to it.

One of my favorite things...is homemade chili in the crockpot for supper, and the hug from Josiah for making his own special batch, which he ate with much relish.  Hooray for stage 2, even if a little goes a long way!

I am pondering...how to shave some money off our grocery bill.  That may make some other entries make more sense.  Or cents.

A few plans for the rest of the week: come up with a gluten free birthday cake recipe, rather than spend $6.50 on a mix, so that my son can have a rocket ship cake.  Then figure out how to decorate it with natural food coloring and candy that he can actually eat.  It's a tall order, but he will be thrilled no matter what.  You gotta love kids.

A peek into my day...

Cousins, sharing a love of dinosaurs at the science center!

boy on a mission

The weather is getting colder and the outdoors less inviting.  Now Josiah can no longer escape to the backyard to play when his schoolwork is done.  What to do during those times when Mom is working with the other kids? 

Give him a mission!

(I think this idea was sparked when I overheard another homeschool mom talking about her son's spy missions.  Whatever brought it on, thank you!!)

Here is a sample of today's mission:

Josiah’s Mission


1. Pick up room.

2. Make a picture with stamps.

3. Look at 2 books.

4. Brush the dog (carefully).

5. Build something with the building set in your room.

6. Draw a picture with Color Wonder paper (he loved this!)

7. Do a cutting project.

8. Tuck a stuffed animal into bed and read him a story.

9. Do a Dr. DoRiddle page with Mom.

10. Jump up and down 10 times.

11. Fly your airplanes on a mission.

12. Show your checklist to Mom for a prize.

 (I'm not sure he really needs the prize, he enjoys this so much!!!)

If you have any ideas to add, please leave them in the comments.  I have a feeling we will be using this idea over and over.  

moments in the past week

 Love this picture of Grandma Rhodes swinging with Josiah!  Eric's parents came this weekend and were able to see both boys score soccer goals. :)  One more week of soccer sounds nice, but it's been so fun to see both of them learning, exercising, and loving every minute.  Micah's glasses broken at practice one night have caused us to investigate contacts!

A cookout means roasting marshmallows.  That is not an easy one in this house.  Micah can't have gelatin so we buy him vegan marshmallows.  Josiah can't have corn sweeteners so we made homemade with this recipe.  (Thanks to Suzanne for posting this recipe with pictures!) It is the first time he's had marshmallows in over 2 years, since we started Feingold.  They were not easy to make but I guess maybe they turned out alright. His sticky smile makes it so worthwhile.  Yes, that is the whole beater in his mouth.

I thought school was over for the day.  Not so--I walked in to see this reading lesson in progress.

It is so easy to imagine this girl teaching someday!  Looking forward to seeing God's plan unfold for her life.  But no hurry.

in today's paper!

Front page of today's paper: homeschooling in the Twin Cities!

And inside the front page was this.

school happenings

 Our butterflies emerged over the weekend!  We had a total of 5.  Everyone has been captivated by this whole process.  What a marvelous Creator we have!!

 I was worried about how Josiah would feel about letting them go, but he actually suggested we do so this morning.

 "I'm a dog, and I'm here to help."  Our kitten has also turned into evil hunter with 5 butterflies coaxing her to jump on the counter often.

 It was just as exciting to watch them fly off to freedom as every other step!

I might be accused of locking my kids in their closet to do their work!  Micah has found his new favorite place to study.

the wonder of it all

Wake up.

Get Breakfast.

Clean up.

Teach school.

Snack.

Clean up.

Teach school.

Lunch.

Clean up.

Teach school.

Snack.

Clean up.

Supper.

Clean up.

Pick up house.

Evening activities.

Clean up.

Repeat.

It is hard sometimes, as a mother, to not get trapped in the mundane.  It seems our work is done only to be undone, fatigue sets in, and life crawls along.  Then we blink, find our children have grown, and wonder where all that time went and what we did with the endless hours that once stretched out before us with such promise.  What seemed it would last forever is gone far too soon.

I'm so grateful to the Lord that when I start to lose my wonder and vision in training up my children, He sends a little message into my life to shake things up and make me gaze in awe again at what He is doing.

These arrived in our mailbox on Wed.  Josiah claims they are the first real caterpillars he has ever seen.  Surely not!  They really don't do much at first except eat, crawl, and grow.

Josiah could hardly leave them alone, and left his butterfly chart out so they could see what they were going to be when they grew up (See Painted Lady picture in lower right.)

There is a sense of wonder when you watch a caterpillar molt for the last time and then see the new exoskeleton harden into a chrysalis.

Those eyes say it all!

Now we are waiting...

And that is what much of childhood is.  Growing, yes eating!, and waiting as we see how God molds and transforms young lives.  Whether prayerfully anticipating the new birth, or for the work of sanctification to unfold, we hold our breath, knowing all we do as parents is somehow caught up as part of God's greater story written into the lives our children as He graciously redeems failures and uses obedience, molding and forming lives to be used for His glory as He sees fit.  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." (2 Cor. 5:17)  Sometimes all we can do is hold our breath, powerlessly wondering how it will all turn out.  One day, those young ones who seem to change almost imperceptibly will burst forth and spread their wings.

God spreads out His word to us, giving glimpses of what we will be when we grow up.  "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known." (1 John 3:2)  "We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet...the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality."  The Lord is powerfully at work and will carry to completion what He has set out to do according to His good plan.

May we never lose the wonder of the gospel.  It took 5 caterpillars to help me recapture the awe, and remember that the journey of raising children, and partnering with Him in the work of the gospel in any life, is never mundane in His eyes.

all smiles for this artist...

There was a time when I would ask Josiah to try to draw something, and he would burst into tears. "I can't!" he'd wail next. I'm not sure those days are completely over, but we certainly have turned a corner!

 Mark Kistler's art lessons were recenly offered at a discount at the Homeschool Buyers Coop, and one price covered lessons for all three kids.  Josiah began the Mini-Marshmallow video lessons this week.  I have never heard him giggle so much when there is a pencil in his hand.

Starting his pencil rocket drawing...

 and adding more details, like the little boy with his legs out the window.  (He fell asleep.)  Crazy hair is pretty fun, too.  Don't forget the water vapor coming out of the rocket launchers!

This was his first picture.  Beatrice the dragon is burping bubbles.

We're not quite ready to contact the art galleries, but I do love that happy face!  (If I make the picture big enough, I can almost see what he drew.)