Thursday, April 26, 2012

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for sick days.

Sort of.

At the very least, it's a break from the norm. 

And I welcome those sometimes.  Today being one of them:)

Plus, since this is the third sick day in a row for Al and no one else is exhibiting any symptoms, it looks like this won't be a bug that travels from one family member to the next.

It's the little things:)

What are you thankful for today?


Friday, April 20, 2012

From homeschool to public school

Two+ weeks ago, it became abundantly clear (spiritually speaking) that Jonzy needs to be in school next year.  As in- no longer homeschooled.
I won't go into details (because it's a long story that, frankly, I just don't feel like sharing with the world at large).  So I hope, World, you will be content to know that Jonz' mother and father have studied it out and followed God's direction for him and his education.  For kindergarten and first grade, he needed to homeschool.  For second grade and the foreseeable future, he needs to be in school.  Simple as that.

But people don't seem to want to accept it as that simple.

I enjoy sharing this news with the nearest and dearest.  They trust completely that we have done and will do what is best for our children and share our excitement for this new stage of life for us.

But everyone else is not as trusting.  And really, why should they be?  They hardly know us!  (I sure don't like when those who know us don't trust us.  Rare, but it happens.)

I've been scared to tell others. 

I'm afraid of that the homeschooling community will think we're quitters, making a dumb decision.  And I'm worried that all those people who have told me over the years that they could never homeschool will think I can't either and take it as confirmation that hs-ing is stupid and so am I for "trying" it. 

Add to that the fact that Jonz is going to a school out of our boundaries and we're still the snooty family who "think themselves too good for the rest of us." 

And so, I think I've come to a decision.  I'm not volunteering the news anymore.  I truly believe that most people mean well; that they want the best for my kids just like I do.  But so often I feel like they don't trust me as the mom because our life's path is different from their experience of what was best for their children.  It is hard to internalize that "what's best for me and mine isn't best for everyone else" concept; I struggle with it, too.  Since it's obviously a struggle most of us face, I'll make it easier by just keeping the info to myself and let it become known naturally.  The truly curious will seek out some understanding from us.  The ones who don't care will go right on with life.  And the ones who want to believe untrue things will make up their own conclusions anyway.

Everybody wins!

And here?  Well, I've wished for someone to relate to and get advice from who has been in the homeschool to public school situation.  Haven't found one (I think I might know one, but I haven't had a chance to ask her and make sure yet).  So occasionally I'm going to write about some of what we experience here.  Perhaps someone who does the same thing in the future will find this in an internet search and benefit from what we learn on this new path.

Thanks for listening:)

Bookish

I read.

A lot.

In spurts.

The last book I finished two weeks ago. 

And wouldn't you know it, for the first time in about four years, I read something in a book that I feel is blog-worthy.  Considering the amount of books I read in four years, this is pretty rare.  But sometimes, you can come across such meaningful things in a work of fiction.

Here's the excerpt:

"Part of faith is not giving up hope for a better world," she said finally.
"But life is such a bitter gift!"
"At the moment, it seems like it.  This is a very dark passage you are in.  But it would be a mistake to see that passage as your whole life.  There is nothing in this world more deceptive than darkness.  You think you live in a void, but actually there are colors and textures and beauty all around you."
....."The price we pay for immortality is to know both this darkness and the light and to choose between them. You are a particularly radiant person.  You must not let the darkness win."
-The Last Waltz by G.G. Vandagriff


I love it.

What do you think?

Thursday, April 19, 2012

It's been a really really messed up week

I can't seem to decide if I'm old or young, responsible or carefree, organized or chaotic, happy or bummed, faithful or fearful, fun-loving or a jerk, etc. etc. etc.

I seem to be a strange mix of all of the above. 

Any bets on how long I can hold out being at such odds with myself?;)

I went to bed at 9 and 9:30 two nights in a row (yeah, I'm old).  And then between 11 and 12:30 the other two (the teen at heart strikes again).

I woke up between 5:30 and 6:15 four mornings in a row (who's responsible now?! Booyah!) and then stayed in my pajamas until lunchtime two of those mornings (I pretend not to care that someone may come to the door and see me like this).

School is going...fine-ish and we had a great field trip this week (boy, am I on top of things;)).
When was the last time I mopped? Who left this half eaten bowl of cereal in the pantry? I really need to clean the bathrooms today.  Will you please stop shouting at each other?!?!  Well, I have to yell to make sure you hear me!  And quick being smart alek! (will there ever be peace around here...)

I'm happy.  No you're not.  You're right.  No wait, stop it.  I am happy.  You're really not. Failure. Gah!  Quit that.  I'm happy.  Well, you have to admit you're anxious about the future.  So? Who isn't?  Besides it'll all be fine.  Oh yeah?  But think of all those ways things could go terribly wrong.  But maybe they won't.  And besides, it'll all be fine eventually.  Do you really think that?  It'd be a lot easier if you'd shutyertrap!

Let's get McDonald's for dinner!
I swear, the next person who whines is going to bed!  I don't care if it's only 2 pm.

Craaaaaazy week.  And it's not even over yet.

Sometimes this life is way too insane for me.  But I am so thankful for the whole package that I get to experience, the good and the crazy. 

It's a wonderful life:)

What are you thankful for today?

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

There was a moment...

God has a sense of humor. I swear He was laughing with me during the moment this afternoon.

There I was, trying my darndest to practice the piano.

I was plunking my way through "I'm Trying to be like Jesus;" my very first stab at a 6/8 song.

I can handle sight reading 4/4 time pretty well, but the 6/8 requires reaching further back into the recesses of my brain for the knowledge that was once right at the forefront (about 11 years ago).

I've found it easier to get the rhythm right if I sing the song in my head while playing the notes instead of trying to count the beat.

So I was singing in my head and playing the notes...and then I played an e when I should have played an e flat.

Sourrrrrrr note!

Not so funny in and of itself.

No, the funny part comes when I tell you that the word underneath that note was "wrong."

Get it?!?:)

I'm singing to myself and right when I played that wrong note I'm also singing the word "wrong!"

I started giggling right there.

And honestly, it seemed as if someone else was having a good chuckle about it right with me.

It's nice to be reminded that He has a sense of humor.

Had any moments lately that you'd like to share?

Thursday, April 12, 2012

It's a beat my head against the wall kind of day

I started to make myself breakfast three times before I was finally able to finish and eat it two hours later.

I started to wash the dishes twice before I was able to finish 7 hours after starting with the dishwasher hanging open for five of those hours since I hoped to get "right back to it"...yeah right.

Jeffrey and I started school five times before we finally finished (sort of, he's finishing his math right now) 8 hours later.

I started making lunch three times before I managed to get the boys eating. Never did manage to get lunch for myself, but that's okay. I ate breakfast so late I'm only just getting hungry. Perfect for dinnertime!

I started making my bed twice before I managed to finish an hour later.

I started weeding the garden twice before I finished that.

I told the boys 16 times to get their shoes on before we managed to get out the door.

I've played phone tag three times today.

And let's not even mention the tasks I thought about starting today.

First world problems to be sure. But all I want is my bed and quiet.

...And I've wished for that at least 7 times today and will probably fit in 17 more before I finally get there.

What a crazy week it's turning out to be!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful fooooooor-

washing machines
trampolines
pens (pencils grate on my nerves. seriously. writing with them starts a shiver in my arm that usually travels down my spine.)
first grade books and stories
a son who understands math quickly (so far)
cereal
a phone (even though I want to chuck mine at the wall with its incessant ringing lately;))
a car
gas money
grocery stores
AND,
that I live in a world of options and I'm given the choice in almost every facet of life.

What are you thankful for today???????

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Tirated

I've been having a crazy coupla days. It's only Wednesday and it feels like it should be next Tuesday.

I'm not a fan of talking on the phone. Isn't it just my luck then, that I've been on the phone 500% more often than usual in the last three days. I'm serious. (I'm not constantly on the phone, but considering the norm is a single quick phone call every four or five days- seven+ a day is killing me! Especially when they're not quick.)

There's way to much going on and my brain has reached its capacity. No room in the inn. And much of the space is taken up trying to solve a few problems. I'm coming up with no completely acceptable answers. First world problems, eh.

I'm feeling very frustrated today.

Strike that. I feel like I should be frustrated today. But really, tired is the overall feeling. Does that make me tirated??

I think I simply need some resolution in life. It seems as though new issues arise before the old ones are ever resolved. Makes me tirated for certain.

But hey! My husband is home after three days of work travel. Life is already looking up.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Thankful Thursday

Here it is again.

I swear...Thursdays are coming by quicker and quicker.

So, here we are again...

...Wanting to write something deep and truth-affirming and...totally at war with my brain, which doesn't want to let me write anything like that.

boo.

And so my simple writing skillz of today are left to say-

I am thankful for friends.

I honestly don't know why, but I give a horrible first impression. My own husband's first impression of me was that I was a stuck up rich girl. Um, no and no way.

I sometimes get a bit discouraged that I can't easily make friends and that my efforts ever-so-rarely yield results.

I'm a nice person, I promise!

I also know that I'm an odd duck, too. But shouldn't that make me all the more endearing?;)

Annnyway, what I really want to say is- Though I do get discouraged, I am regularly reminded that my life is full of fantastic, wonderful people.

I could not have picked a more awesome family to be part of.

My husband and sons are awesome.

The eight amazing women who have been forced into friendships with me because we're in the same co-op (haha, just kidding Jen:)) are priceless.

I have friends near and far who I don't see regularly, but who I think of often and when we do finally get back together we pick right back up, smooth as anything. (four reminders of this in the last week alone!)

And I can't write about friends without raising my figurative glass to the extraordinary Emily, her stellar husband, and awesome children.

I am a lucky girl indeed.

So, I'm not all buddy-buddy with everyone I'd like to be and that makes me wonder..."what's wrong with me?" BUT, I have been blessed that a select few have been willing to look past the unwittingly impenetrable outer-core that is Lindsey and become trusted friends.

What are you thankful for today?