Positive

This morning has been positive. I feel I must capture it for later veiwing when things are not so positive so I can remind myself that yes, this kind of gentle, positive life can exist for me.

The time change works better for our morning. The sun is a wonderful encourgement to get out of bed! The boys and I started off with a walk to the end of our street. We are draining our above ground pool, preparing to put it to bed for the winter, so we followed the flow of water on the curb to the end of cul de sac and the boys discovered that the water went down the storm drain and to the drainage ditch. All in perfect veiw and plenty of ways to see how the cycle works. We also saw and discussed all the other ditches in the area, that we see on a daily base while doing errands, that are connected to this ditch and talked of the journey our pool water is taking. Rowdy One collected some sticks, bugs and water. Plenty of imagination and understanding.

Came home to a breakfast of biscuits and sausage. I have received a renewed feeling for breakfast from here. Lots of further discussion on the slope of the street, why it makes the water go to the drainage ditch and Wise One even commented on the construction of the neighborhood some 25 years ago. That is why I nick named him Wise One on this blog. That kid really gets stuff! And yet can be such a wise a$$ as well!

Now we are having a bit of free time before the school day begins. We will do history today and talk and read. Plan some projects and then head to the library.

Positive. It does exist.

Lyn

Early Birthday Package

The delight of a package in the mail can be almost paralizing to an almost 6 year old little boy.

"Rowdy One, you have a package that came in the mail!", lugging in a box from the front porch.

"Me? Just me? It only has my name on it?", seriously these were his exact words!

"Yes, just you, sweetie."

He truly didn't move he just stared at his name on the box for about a minute with the grandest smile.

"It is really just for ME!!??!!!!!!!!" By the exclamation marks you can tell the excitment in his voice.

The early birthday present was exactly what this little one needed today!

Thanks Non! You truly are the best.

Lyn

New Week

I am ever so hopeful for this week. Stay tuned!

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not
reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to
follow them."

Louisa May Alcott

What is wrong with me????

I am in a funk that I can just NOT shake! There is no "just snap out of it" sign that sinks into my brain. There is no "get a grip" that jolts me into, well....getting a grip!

Well, self, I am tired of this funk.....so.....Rise and Shine!!!!!!!! We just must get a new groove on!!!!

I could go on and on about all the things I think my funk is attributed to but well, that would just make me and my blog even "funkier" so not gonna go that route. Instead I will leave you with some positives.

I always wanted to homeschool, and now I am.

I enjoy my boys. They are funny little characters.

I enjoy cooking and eating a good meal.

My new little niece has the wonderful baby smell that is just intoxicating.

I could and WILL gobble her little cheeks up ever chance I get.

Today is a new day!

There you go. my positives for the day.

Lyn

Friday, Friday

Cool weather here. Yeah!

Low humidity. YEAH!

County fair in town. yeah, extreme sarcasm here!

New baby smells. Yeah!

Plenty of baby holding for the whole family. Yeah!

School work moving right along, in bits and pieces. Yeah!

This is life in a nutshell at the moment. Trying to remember to enjoy every minute.

Lyn

New Life

I have a new neice. She is sweet and perfect and sweet and beautiful and SWEET! I could just gobble her up. My household has been busy, busy will all the things that come with having a new baby around. My boys are in heaven! And my other neice O, the big sister, is just mezmerized by the baby.

I always love it when my sister has a baby. I know I get to be there! I have to have c-sections. Don't like it. Didn't intend for it to be like that but it is. So a certain amount of the birth is lost on me. But my sister! She just pushs 'em out and has the best birth stories! To be there to witness it is amazing and wonderful for me. To be there for the process, that God so masterfully set into motion, is powerful.

Needless to say, I will be blogging about baby this and baby that for awhile, I am sure! Oh and my last post about routines.....that is almost laughable at the moment. There is a new baby to be held. We are on HER routine for now. Mine can wait!!!!!

Kiss YOUR babies today. They grow up sooooo fast!

Lyn

Routine

If you knew me 5 years ago you would be so surprised to meet me now. I have almost no routine in my life. I used to have a routine for EVERYTHING. The boys and I are suffering, however, so I gotta get my routine thing back. Just modify it a bit so that it doesn't take over but it must come back.

I need a routine for school.

I need a routine for dinner.

I need a routine for breakfast.

I need a routine for chores.

I need a routine for "me" time.

I need a routine for hubby time.

I need a routine for work.

We have relaxing plans for the weekend and a jam packed rest of the week but when I return on Monday....routines you will see!

I have to reclaim some sanity!

Lyn

Faith

I attended a funeral for a five year old on Friday and I am still trying to put into words how that funeral was for me. It was the most awe inspiring celebration of such a short life that I have ever witnessed. It was a true celebration of life. The faith her family has has left me with many thoughts in my mind. Lots to process.

"In surrender, I clear a space in which something new can grow. I
place my faith in something larger than me. I trust."
Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison

I have dusted this book off. It is now on top of my stack to re-read.

Lyn

Long Weekend View

Finally, a picture from our wonderful long weekend a couple of weeks ago. This view is from our lookout, that we had to go down 49 very steep steps to see. Worth it! This was the first time we have visited here but will not be the last. It was quiet and beautiful and quiet and peaceful and hey, did I mention how quiet it was? Yeah, it was so Q.U.I.E.T.

Lyn

Rabid, Rabid

We don't normally watch the news in the What Was That household. I honestly can not tell you the last time I saw a news cast. I get all my news on line. I enjoy not getting the over sensationalized tone from a reporter. It really saves my sanity.

Well, the other night Rowdy One and I were watching a show and a clip for the next news cast came on. It was all about rabid bats in the area. It was on for 30 seconds and then back to the show.

Rowdy One looked at me with amazement in his eyes "I have never seen one of those rabbit bats they were talking about. What do they look like mommy?"

Trying to hide a giggle I said "they are rabid, bats with rabies."

"OH!!!! I thought a rabbit bat with big ears would have a hard time flying."

Yes, Rowdy One, that would be a little difficult.

Can you imagine the picture in his head!?!

Lyn

To e:

"This day is a special day, it is yours. Yesterday slipped away, it cannot be filled anymore with meaning. About tomorrow nothing is known. But this day, today, is yours, make use of it. Today you can make someone happy. Today you can help another. This day is a special day, it is yours."

Lyn

On tap this week:

Picture Study this week is Henri Rousseau's "Sleeping Gypsy".

Music: folk style. Specifically this cd. At first the boys were looking at me like I had three heads. But then this song came on, "There Ain't No Bugs On Me" - David Grasman, Jerry Garcia. ( you can take a listen on amazon with the link above) Now I really have no idea why,

"Oh, there ain't no bugs on me, no, there ain't no bugs on me. There
may be bugs on some of you mugs but there ain't no bugs on me."

would appeal to MY boys. Seriously, I have no idea!!!! te-he-he But it sold them on folk music and they are happily listening to the cd over and over again! My personal favorite is "Run Molly Run" - Sweet Honey In The Rock.

My intent on music and art are simply exposure. Expose them to a wide variety. No real rhyme or reason on my part. Any suggestions are welcomed!

We started our co-op on Monday. It will last 6 weeks. Wise One's classes are hand stitching, pencil drawing and Shakespearean adventure (thanks to M-mv on this one, you encouraged us to seek out the Bard!). Rowdy One has games, friends of the ocean, exploring the basics, and insect adventure. I am teacher assistant in Shakespearean adventure and basic chemisty. We all enjoyed ourselves and are looking forward to next Monday.

Non-fiction this week for Wise One are about newspapers and journalists. Biography will be on Rousseau. Rowdy One is still having so much fun with tongue twisters and rhymes that we are sticking with that.

A couple of other favorites: Bold and Bright Black-and-White Animals and A Life Like Mine . This last one may be a purchase, it is a beautiful book.

What is everyone else doing????

Lyn